Bowlers fight hard in solid draw against Sussex
Mon 23 Apr 2018
RESULT | Day 4 of 4, Specsavers County Championship: Leicestershire CCC (10 points) 422 for 9 declared drew with Sussex CCC (9 points) 438 for 8 declared and 241-4 declared
SCORECARD | Available through ESPN Cricinfo
REACTION | Captain Michael Carberry and Head Coach Paul Nixon spoke to BBC Radio Leicester's Richard Rae at stumps
HIGHLIGHTS | In-play highlights are available throughout the 2018 season
POINTS | Leicestershire CCC 10 points, Sussex CCC 9 points
REPORT | Leicestershire CCC’s bowlers worked tirelessly but Luke Wells posted a battling unbeaten century to ensure the Specsavers County Championship opener finished as a draw at the Fischer County Ground.
Wells scored 102 not out while four Foxes bowlers claimed a wicket apiece as Sussex got their heads down to see out the final day and post 241 for 4 declared.
It meant that Leicestershire CCC banked a solid ten points from a match in which there were many positives, including a brilliant 186 from Colin Ackermann.
Muhammad Abbas claiming outstanding match figures of 49-17-98-3, Ben Raine had a strong all-round game, and the whole team made useful contributions against a Sussex CCC side that asked plenty of questions of them.
Sussex CCC resumed day four at 11 without loss, leading by 27, and the visiting batsmen were severely tested by a brilliant new ball spell from Abbas and Raine.
To underline how tough life was for the batsmen, Wells, who had been 7 not out overnight, had not added to that score after 70 minutes of play, during which he faced 47 deliveries.
Abbas was rewarded with the wicket of fellow opener Phil Salt as a delivery came back off the seam and sent the off stump cartwheeling.
Raine was also a picture of accuracy; generally nipping the ball back into the left-handed duo of Wells and Stiaan van Zyl, but also taking it away from the bat on occasion.
There was a change of tack as slow left arm spinner Callum Parkinson came on for Raine, who sent down four maidens in a probing six-over burst.
Once the new ball began to soften, however, batting became easier. Leicestershire CCC did pick up another wicket in the first session as van Zyl was dismissed leg before wicket to a Gavin Griffiths in-swinger for 24.
Sussex led by 116 at lunch and County struck early in the afternoon session to keep things interesting. The indefatigable Raine picked up his just desserts when trapping Harry Finch (22) in front after a switch to the Bennett End.
The wholehearted bowling effort continued but Wells kept frustrating the Foxes, including using his feet to negate the turn and bounce that Parkinson was extracting.
County continued to try things, including another spell for Abbas, Raine switching to the Pavilion End with ‘keeper Lewis Hill standing up, and bowlers changing their angle, including Griffiths trying the odd ball around the wicket.
Wright (29) settled alongside Wells and the pair shared 60 before Ateeq Javid bowled the latter with a delivery that deceived the batsman in the flight.
County had the opportunity to take a fifth wicket after tea when Wells and Ben Brown (25 not out) had a mix up; Brown was left stranded but Javid’s shy at the stumps missed the target.
Wells played the perfect final day innings; weathering the early storm, defending well against seam and spin, and also showing intent whenever the opportunity presented itself. He scored a superb hundred from 227 balls (12x4, 2x6).
After a period of spin from both ends after tea, the players and umpires Alex Wharf and Paul Baldwin shook hands shortly before 5pm. Leicestershire CCC’s next assignment comes against Derbyshire CCC at the Fischer County Ground on Friday.
TEAM | Carberry (capt), Horton, Ackermann, Cosgrove, Javid, Dexter, Hill (wk), Raine, Parkinson, Griffiths, Abbas.
FIGURES | 1st innings: Abbas 32-10-61-2, Griffiths 28-8-69-0, Raine 32-6-104-3, Dexter 16-5-63-1, Parkinson 24-4-81-1, Javid 13-0-43-1.
2nd innings: Abbas 17-8-37-1, Raine 18-6-42-1, Parkinson 26-5-73-0, Griffiths 10-1-41-1, Javid 12-3-30-1.
PHOTO | Thanks to Neville Chadwick Photography for the photo of Muhammad Abbas bowling.
* Leicestershire CCC is next in action against Derbyshire CCC on Friday morning. You can also follow the Foxes at the Fischer County Ground throughout the 2018 season by becoming a Member of the club. For further details on the advantages of joining us, please follow the link HERE
