Ali praises O'Brien's contribution

By Dominic Toner

Leicestershire batsman Aadil Ali heaped praise on teammate Niall O’Brien for his contribution of 87 in yesterday’s victory against Derbyshire.

The fifth-wicket pair came together with the Foxes at 56-4 on Sunday evening and put on a 118 stand and Ali has credited O’Brien’s calming influence at the crease that laid the platform for victory.

He said: "Nobby (Niall O'Brien) is a proper busy player and there is always something going on with him whether it is stretching or running to square leg or carving it over the slips,” Ali said with a smile. 

“The pressure could have easily got to him when he was scoring the runs and I was just at the other end blocking them out but he showed huge responsibility and huge credit to him.

“He is unbelievable to work with and he was keeping me calm. This morning Nobby played superbly for his 87 and it was one of the best innings we’ve had here for a long time.”

With the Foxes beginning the day with a tough task to stave off a threatening Derbyshire attack, Ali believed at that point that the team would achieve the win.

The 20-year old, who was playing in just his third first-class match, grinded a hard-fought 42 off 198 balls and received some valuable assistance lower down the order after O’Brien was dismissed.

He said: “We felt that if Nobby or I could bat until tea time then we would be in with a shout and the boys showed great character at the end. The lads that came in took great pressure and huge responsibility and bought it home for the Foxes.

“There were a few outstanding contributions but everyone played their part throughout the game. It was great to see so many smiling faces at Grace Road at the end of the game and long may it continue.”