THE wickets, like the recent rain, tumbled in the opening round of Championship matches but the batting carnage of last week was still nothing like that witnessed during the golden age of uncovered wickets.

By Richard Edwards

Master at work: Ray Illingworth used to love the earlyseason conditions
PICTURE: Getty Images

It was the summer of 1981 – much to the chagrin of traditionalists – when uncovered wickets were scrapped. As predicted, it proved to be a move that changed the face of the English game.
And although batsmen could have been forgiven for pining for the warmth of ...