Howzat! Share your Sunderland cricket memories

As the pads get pulled on once more, and batsmen and bowlers throughout Wearside practice their strokes and run-ups in readiness for their upcoming matches, here's a selection of cricketing images from over the years.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Apr 2018, 12:30 BST

Updated 23rd Apr 2018, 12:31 BST

We hope they hasten the return of warmer days and a long hot summer for which cricket is the ideal sport.

But it’s not just the players, of course, who will be looking forward to the sound of leather on willow, spectators too will be eagerly digging out and dusting down their picnic baskets as they plan their days out at cricket grounds all over Sunderland and beyond.

Jolly Sailor Ladies Cricket Team 29 August 1980.

Unlike football fans who spend just over 90 minutes watching their heroes on the pitch, cricket followers can be in the ground for a full day, so they need to be well prepared for all eventualities – and weather.

So as well as the sun cream, don’t forget the umbies and rain hats.

Back to our photo gallery, how many of the people pictured do you recognise?

Perhaps you played for one or more of the teams mentioned. What are your memories of playing the ‘gentleman’s game’?

Sunderland