Forecasts of very hot weather this weekend have prompted a safety alert being issued to sports players, Brigg Blog notes with interest.
Stopping play so extra drinks can be taken and wearing long-sleeved shirts to avoid arm burning are among recommendations included in sensible advice issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
This has also been flagged up locally by those governing the game in northern Lincolnshire, which includes the Brigg area where fixtures are coming up today and tomorrow (July 16 and 17). It takes the form of a Sun Safety Statement... and Stay Safe is the message.
The Brigg Town and Broughton clubs both gained admission to the Lincolnshire County Cricket League for the 1976 season which produced the so-called Great Drought - two months of continuously high temperatures without rain.
There was a ban in place on watering sports grounds which resulted in many deliveries rearing up off bone-dry pitches in the era before batsmen wore helmets with protective metal visors.
But players who were fielding or bowling had to contend with something even more unpleasant in 1976 - plagues of black (thunder) flies which settled on unprotected skin, shirts and flannels (trousers).
These insects drifted in from nearby fields and grass paddocks to make the cricketers' lot a far from happy one.
Team captains showed good sense in very hot conditions by employing slow bowlers to give their 'quickies' (with longer run-ups) a bit of a break.
Brigg Blog was reminded of this while watching Lincolnshire's game against Staffordshire at Cleethorpes earlier this week.
Spin bowlers were used extensively on the final day of the three-day championship match, although we suggest this was in an effort to take wickets rather than because of the hot weather.
Brigg Town Football Club's first team and its reserve side (Development XI) have pre-season friendlies this afternoon during which keeping the players suitably hydrated will be important.
The Met Office says: "Exceptional heat is expected to affect a large part of England early next week, with temperatures likely in the high 30s C in some places and perhaps even reaching 40C.
"The Red Extreme heat national severe weather warning will cover Monday and Tuesday (18th and 19th July) for parts of central, northern, eastern and southeastern England. An Amber Extreme heat warning, has been in place for much of England and Wales for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (17th – 19th July) since earlier this week." View full forecast details here...
PICTURED: Blue sky action between Brigg Town FC and Winterton Rangers last Saturday afternoon, Lincs v Staffs earlier this week at hot and sunny Cleethorpes, and Brigg Town cricketers at the Rec Ground in 1976 when the heat was on.
