Batsmen knuckle down after County inserted

REPORT | by Dominic Toner

Leicestershire’s batsmen made good progress in reaching the close of play on 127-2 on a heavily interrupted first LV=CC day against Gloucestershire.

Angus Robson (61) made a solid half-century with opening partner Ned Eckersley (23) also contributing before both fell to the lively seam bowling of Liam Norwell.

With bad light forcing the players off early, Leicestershire finished the day with Dan Redfern 29 not out and nightwatchman Rob Sayer unbeaten on two.

With the outfield unplayable in the morning the umpires called for an early lunch with play beginning at 12:40. The visitors won the toss and elected to field in overcast conditions. 

Foxes openers Robson and Eckersley made a promising start to the innings and were unbeaten on 23 and 12 respectively before rain interrupted play and forced the players off the pitch with the score on 43-0 with just 11 overs bowled.

Robson on just three edged over Hamish Marshall at first slip off the bowling of Fuller but apart from that there were no noticeable chances for the visitors.

After both batsmen played themselves in, Robson hit some eye-catching strokes to the boundary but both players would have to start again after the rain delay. Unfortunately it was not until 3:45 when the players returned to the pitch with 37 overs scheduled to be bowled.

Seamers James Fuller and Norwell both had the ball moving about after the stoppage, making it very difficult for Robson and Eckersley to contend with. However the openers continued to repel them with some sensible shot selections and a display of both defensive blocks and leaves.

The Gloucestershire attack looked threatening and had a few lbw appeals as they continued to search for the breakthrough. Norwell received his reward for a dangerous looking spell by dismissing Eckersley (23) who was caught by Kieran Noema-Barnett at mid-wicket to break the Foxes opening partnership at 59-1.

Redfern was the new man in at number three having been one of two changes to the Leicestershire side along with Rob Taylor, who came in to replace Lewis Hill and the injured Charlie Shreck.

The left-hander settled well at the crease and was scoring at a healthy strike rate in support of Robson, who deservedly reached his half-century off 119 balls with a sixth four in a hard-fought innings.

The pair put on 59 runs for the second wicket before Norwell (11.4-2-33-2) collected his second wicket of the match when he dismissed Robson for 61, the batsman edging to wicket-keeper Gareth Roderick leaving the score at 118-2.

Robson fell just short of a personal milestone as he is now just 33 runs shy of recording 1,000 first-class runs for a second consecutive season.

Sayer was the new man and helped Redfern guide Leicestershire to the close of play for just two down with bad light eventually taking effect after 43.4 overs.