Ahmed and Budinger Impress During Final Pre-Season Fixture

Sol Budinger and Rehan Ahmed starred with the bat on day one at Trent Bridge before heavy rainfall scuppered any prospect of play on the second and final day.

Batting first, former Notts opener Budinger smashed a speedy 42 from 49 balls (6x4, 2x6) before retiring out, while Ahmed also retired out on 46 from 47 deliveries (4x4, 3x6) on his Leicestershire return.

After the loss of Rishi Patel (5), Budinger dominated the scoring. The left-hander had recorded 31 of the Foxes’ 37 runs before the first rain delay arrived.

Sam Evans (4) fell with the score on 53, before Budinger retired out two balls later. Captain Lewis Hill and Ahmed put on 50 together, prior to Hill also retiring out on 19 after a 49-ball stay at the wicket.

All-rounder Ahmed clubbed three sixes en route to his 46, including two lusty blows off England Lions left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White.

Louis Kimber also impressed with 27 off 28 deliveries (4x4) before he was bowled by Patterson-White.

Similarly to the Northants fixture, anticipating rain ahead, Leicestershire declared after 40 overs “ the score standing on 150/6 (including three retired out batsmen).

With the ball, Notts came out in aggressive fashion, scoring at above 6 runs per over after the new ball had worn.

England opener Ben Duckett fell for 38 to Matt Salisbury, caught in the deep by Michael Finan, before Matt Montgomery also departed on 38 “ caught behind by Harry Swindells off the again-impressive Josh Hull.

Joe Clarke (48*) and skipper Steven Mullaney (47*) guided the hosts to 181/2 at stumps, before further play was denied on day two by the adverse weather conditions.

A full scorecard can be found HERE.