Barnes Takes Four As Bowlers Dominate Day Two at Kibworth
Wed 19 Apr 2023
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire were back on home soil for a SEC match against Yorkshire at Kibworth CC. No play was possible on day one due to a wet outfield.
We arrived for the second day to be greeted by bright sunshine, but with a very chill wind accompanying it. However, the bowlers run ups were still wet. An inspection took place at 10.15am. Play would start at 12 noon, with 88 overs remaining in the day. Lunch would be taken at 1.30pm.
Will Davis skippered Leicestershire, won the toss, and elected to bowl. Will Fraine captained Yorkshire. Ex Fox Ben Mike was in the Yorkshire starting XI.
Absolute discretion was the order of the day for yours truly, as John, the Yorkshire scorer is a season ticket holder at Leeds United, who were in action last night against Liverpool. I will, therefore, be making no mention whatsoever to him during the day as to the events at Elland Road last night, except to say that seven goals were shared, albeit somewhat unevenly.
Amongst the spectators in attendance there were a number of familiar faces present, especially adjacent to one of the sight screens. I was also comforted to notice that a certain gentleman’s ‘trademark cap’ had wintered well, when I spotted him on one of his boundary perambulations.
17 wickets fell on day two. Yorkshire, after having been inserted, being bowled out for 152, Ed Barnes the leading wicket taker with 4-30. Also, Roman Walker bowled an inspired spell before lunch. Ben Mike made an unbeaten 72, for the White Rose, almost half of the Yorkshire total. In reply, Leicestershire closed on 105-7 trailing by 47 runs.
Leicestershire had the better of the morning session, Yorkshire into lunch on 40-4. Yash Vagadia (8) the first one to go, bowled by Barnes. Roman Walker then returning figures of 4-2-4-3 in the morning session. Fraine (16) was his first victim, lbw.
In his next over Walker bowled Will Luxton (10) 11b. No better sight for a bowler than to see the middle stump leaning back after a delivery. Walker was steaming in from the Pavilion End, and in the third over of his spell he bowled James Wharton (0) 11b. The Welsh Wizard picking up a wicket in each of his first three overs.
It was extremely cold sitting on the balcony at Kibworth, the scorers at the mercy of the elements. Hopefully Rishi Sunak may soon introduce a Summer Subsistence Allowance encompassing thermal clothing for all scorers of a pensionable age!
Ben Mike, (5*) at lunch, then posted a 50 partnership with Harry Duke from 83 balls. The Tykes on 84-4 from 30.5 overs. A further 15 runs had been added when Duke (21) 76b was trapped in front by Davis.
Mike was taking on the Foxes attack with considerable success, taking a couple of maximums in the process. Mike went to his 50 (3x4/3x6) 76b when he deposited Barnes for a maximum in the area between deep mid wicket, and long on (sounds better than cow corner).
Louis Kimber was re-introduced into the attack, the 3rd over of his spell yielding a double wicket maiden. Alex Cree (12) 20b was bowled, and Jafer Chohan (0) 2b was caught behind by keeper Harry Swindells. Kimber ably demonstrating that Chohan is not the only name associated with a ‘Jafer’. Yorkshire 129-7 from 44.4 overs.
Dominic Leech (0) 5b was bowled by Barnes, unfortunately for Yorkshire, Leech being unable to cling on for long. Yorkshire 134-8 from 45.6 overs. Barnes then wrapped up the innings when he pinned Jack Shutt (0) 1b in front, and Ben Cliff (1) 11b suffered the same fate shortly afterwards.
An excellent contribution from Mike who finished on 72* (4x4/5x6) 89b. Yorkshire 152 all out from 49.2 overs. Wicket takers for the Foxes: Barnes 10.2-3-30-4, Walker 8-2-22-3, Kimber 6-2-24-2, Davis 11-2-23-1. Tea was then taken.
Leicestershire were soon on the ropes at 6-2. Scott Steel (0) 6b going lbw to Dominic Leech, and Sam Evans (6) 19b caught behind by keeper Duke off Cliff. Cliff making sure it was no Summer Holiday for Bachelor Boy Evans, maybe Sam will have more joy The Next Time. (Any eagle eyed readers of this masterpiece will no doubt notice that I know my Cliff Richard songs, but please don’t tell anybody or else We Won’t Talk Anymore).
Louis Kimber and Harry Swindells then dug in, and had added 45 for the 3rd wicket, when Swindells (11) 45b went lbw to Mike. Nick Welch (0) 2b then suffered exactly the same fate two balls later. County 51-4 from 21.4 overs.
Kimber (36) 76b had played a solid, and patient innings when he was another lbw victim, this time for spinner Jack Shutt. Leicestershire 79-5 from 28.6 overs. Shutt then picked up two further wickets late in the day. Barnes (1) 12b was stumped by Duke off the bowling of Shutt, and Walker (5) 11b was bowled by Shutt.
Scriven had taken over where Kimber left off, and was doing a very solid job repelling the Yorkshire attack. Leicestershire closed on 105-7 from 38 overs, Scriven (27*) 57b Sam Wood (0*) 3b.
Leicestershire 3 points, Yorkshire 2 points. A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
