Dog Is Barking Mad About Cricket

A collie called Holly is barking mad when it comes to watching her local team play cricket.

Not only does the two-year-old bitch spend most of the game watching the crease with her front paws on the boundary,but she also gives out an excitable yelp as the wickets fall.

The two-year-old bitch is so hooked on the sport that when she's not watching her local English team,she loves nothing more than watching a game on TV.

Holly's head for the game isn't even turned by the approach of other dogs, who go un-sniffed as she concentrates on the bowler's action and the batsman's glance to fine leg.

Should a two-legged spectator unwittingly block her view,she simply moves along to a new vantage point.

Roy,whose son Anthony plays for the local side,has been taking Holly to games since she was six months old.

Since then she's wagged her tail in support of the team on away matches at grounds as far as Durham,Bradford and Birmingham.

Roy's wife Diane said "She loves to watch the cricket.She doesn't miss a ball.And when a wicket falls and players and spectators clap,she yaps."

Roy added "She'll stand for two and a half hours just watching the ball.If you miss where it's gone you just need to look at the direction of her head.

"She watches cricket on the TV at home.She likes watching football too,but I try not to take her down if I can help it - she gets too excited with all the shouting."

Phil Buckley,of the Kennel Club,said "I have never heard of a cricket-loving dog before.But border collies are a very intelligent breed and they need a lot of stimulation.

"She'll be very happy watching the cricket.I'm not saying she'll understand what off stump is,but she'll certainly be picking up the vibe there."