Bowley Returns Career-Best in Final Day Draw

By Pete Johnson

Leicestershire had the upper hand on day four making Yorkshire follow on, picking up the remaining three wickets of the Yorkshire first innings and claiming a further two wickets in the Tykes’ second innings before lunch.

Nat Bowley returning career-best figures for the Foxes, in the Yorkshire first innings, now tallying 26 for the season. Also, Vikai Kelley bowled his first overs for the Foxes, picking up a wicket with his leg spin, and also took three excellent catches. It was ironical that the British weather intervened on the final day, after the wall-to-wall sunshine we had experienced over the first three days. Match abandoned as a draw at 5.09pm.

Early morning rain had been evident when we arrived at Weetwood Sports ground for day four of the SEC match between Yorkshire and Leicestershire. As a result the outfield looked somewhat ‘refreshed’, and had a slightly darker ‘tinge’ to it. You notice such things when you sit atop the skyscraper that is the Weetwood Pavilion.

Yorkshire resumed on their overnight 277-7. Harry Duke 82*, Harry Sullivan 28*. Duke (82) 195b went to the second ball he received, trapped lbw by Ed Barnes. Duke regally returning to the Pavilion after a noble innings. Clarke Doughney the incoming batter.

Sullivan went to his 50 (11x4) 120b, when he was dropped at slip, the ball going to the boundary. If you are coming into bat, and Barnes is bowling, it may be an idea to get someone to buy you a lottery ticket for you as you walk to the middle.

Barnes, a wholehearted cricketer, in my opinion, is at the front of the queue when it comes to bad luck whilst bowling. Yorkshire on 305-8 from 109.4 overs, still requiring a further 42 runs to avoid the follow on.

Sullivan (51) 125b went caught at short mid wicket by Kelley off Tom Scriven. A good diving catch by Kelley, very similar to the catch Scriven himself took earlier in the innings.

Leicestershire finished off the innings when Doughney (8) 21b was caught at short leg by Kelley off Bowley. A superb one-handed reaction catch by Kelley, that signalled career-best figures for Bowley of 6-112 from 34.4 overs. Yorkshire 308 all out, trailing by 189 runs. Ben Cliff (0*) 3b. Cliff, a Bachelor Boy as he had run out of partners. Yorkshire asked to follow on.

Yorkshire commenced their second innings at 11.50am. 17 overs were bowled in the time available before lunch. Finlay Bean (32) 60b was caught by an absolutely ‘blinding’ catch by Kelley off Scriven.

Kelley positioned at gully dived for the ball, parried it with both hands, then scooped the ball up with his left hand before it touched the ground. Kelley’s third catch of the morning, all of which were of the highest order. Yorkshire 41-1 from 9.3 overs.

Leicestershire then took a wicket with the last ball of the last over before Lunch. Tom Loten (2) 23b caught round the corner at short leg by Hassan Azad off Bowley. Yorkshire into lunch on 62-2 from 17 overs. Harry Allinson 36*. Yorkshire still requiring a further 127 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Harry Duke joined Allinson after Lunch. Allinson went to his 50 (9x4) 91b, the score on 89-2. Just under six overs later Allinson and Duke brought up their 50 partnership from 91 balls, 112-2 from 32.1 over’.

Yorkshire had progressed to 115-2 when Kelley was introduced into the attack, this being his first bowl for the 2s. Leg spinner Kelley, an untapped diamond with the ball, struck gold with this 4^th delivery trapping Allinson (69) 122b in front. Kelley subsequently had incoming batter Yash Vagadia put down at slip. Yorkshire into Tea on 145-3 from 49 overs, still requiring 44 runs to make Leicestershire bat again.

Leicestershire had no further success, as only 14 minutes play was possible after tea. At 4.14pm, the umpires took the players from the field as light rain was falling, yes rain!

At 5.09pm match Abandoned as a draw, the rain had stopped, but the light had closed in, preventing a restart. Yorkshire 158-3 from 53 overs. Duke (49*) 87b, Vagadia (14*) 57b.

Bowley 1-46 off 18 overs, Scriven 1-15 off 4 overs, and Kelley 1-13 off 6 overs. Yorkshire 13 points, Leicestershire 13 points.

A full scorecard can be read HERE.