Freddie drops in for pal's benefit
9:50am Tuesday 15th July 2008
FREDDIE Flintoff was an extra bonus for fans who attended his former Lancashire team-mate John Crawley's benefit game at Hartley Wintney last week.
The England all-rounder, who looks set to be recalled to the side for the second Test against South Africa, stopped off at the picturesque ground en route to the Rose Bowl, where his side were in action from Friday.
Flintoff, along with Lancashire team-mates Dominic Cork and Glenn Chapple, arrived at the village ground just before tea. The trio signed autographs, posed for pictures and also took part in a question-and-answer session in the interval.
Bob Jeavons-Fellows, organiser of the benefit game, said: "John was hoping that Freddie would make an appearance. It was the real icing on the cake. He, along with all the Lancashire lads, were so good with everyone.
"The game has once again proved to be a great success. The auction alone, for which Shaun Udal was the master of ceremonies, raised £12,000."
Due to heavy overnight rain on Wednesday, the game nearly did not take place. It took an army of volunteers to make sure play was possible.
Jeavons-Fellows said: "When I saw the ground on Wednesday, there was a lake on it. We were there from 7am drying out the pitch. I must thank everyone for their help, it proved very worthwhile."
As with previous benefit games involving Hartley Wintney, Thursday's match was blessed with runs galore. The game saw a strong Hampshire side take part, with only Chris Tremlett, away on England duty, missing.
Needless to say, the ball flew to all corners of the village ground as the Hawks scored 384 from their 40 overs, which included a century from Michael Lumb.
In reply, Alex Sciarretta did likewise for the village side, hitting three figures, but Hartley fell seven runs short of the target, finishing on 377.
It is hoped that, dates permitting, Hartley will host another game next season, in what is becoming an annual fixture on the cricket calendar.
Jeavons-Fellows said: "We hope Hampshire will be here again, we have proved it has been a great success and had 312 to the lunch here."
Meanwhile, Flintoff may have wished he had got in some practice at Hartley on Thursday afternoon, as the all-rounder made just two on the second day of the County Championship match at the Rose Bowl against Hampshire.
His was the third of three wickets to fall in the space of six runs, as top scorer Lou Vincent (83), Stuart Law (43) and then Flintoff, left Lancashire wobbling at 180-5.
However, thanks to Steven Croft and Luke Sutton, the visitors saw their way to 229 without losing any more wickets.
On the first day of the contest, Nic Pothas top-scored for Hampshire with 62, as they made 248-9.
Then, thanks to some fine batting from final pair Chris Tremlett (60) and James Tomlinson (36) on the start of day two, Hampshire were finally all-out for 329.