Bowley Takes Two on Third Day

By Pete Johnson

Leicestershire made two changes to their side overnight, with Ben Mike, and Nick Welch having been called into the 1st XI squad for the game versus Middlesex. Academy Members, 17-year-old Sam Wood, and 18-year-old Buzz Kemp being called up to the side.

Kemp making his 2nd XI debut. Please note, his 18 years are calendar years not light years. There was also a change of Scorers, Terry Owen, complete with electric heater, replacing QLS Jones for Northamptonshire. Four different scorers in one game, there has to be a first for everything!

Leicestershire spent the day in the field until bad light ended play for the day at 5.21pm with Northamptonshire on 287-9, leading by 400 runs.

Northamptonshire resumed on their overnight 34-1 leading by 147 runs. Alex Miller 10*, Ben Curran 15*. Leicestershire picked up just a single wicket in the morning session, Ben Curran (33) trapped in front by Roman Walker. Northamptonshire progressing to 137-2 at lunch. Gus Miller 56* Charlie Thurston 37*.

During the morning Miller and Thurston shared a 50 partnership from 80 deliveries, with the former making a half century (7x4) 128b. After lunch, Miller (62) 147b went superbly caught at gully by Tom Scriven off Alex Evans. Steelbacks on 148-3 from 51.5 overs.

Thurston brought up his 50 (5x4) 87b, after 60.6 overs. Thurston and James Sales then brought up their 50 partnership from 179 deliveries, Northamptonshire 198-3 from 64.6 overs.

Thurston (63) 99b was bowled by the second delivery sent down by Scott Steel. Northamptonshire 199-4 from 65.2 overs. Sales and James Cronie then forged another 50 partnership from 70 balls, when the score reached 250-4 from 76.6 overs.

Just before tea, Sales (46) 79b was run out attempting a single to mid on, Walker swooping on the ball, and ‘The Emperor’ arrowing the ball into keeper Sam Bates, who disturbed the woodwork. Steelbacks into tea on 258-5 from 82 overs.

In the third over after tea, Urush Buchake (4) 18b was stumped by Bates off Nat Bowley. Bowley then picked up another wicket a couple of overs later when he had Ollie Jefferies (1) 11b caught and bowled.

Cronie went to his 50 (6x4/1x6) 73b, the score on 272-7 from 89.1 overs. Skipper Gavin Griffiths was persisting with his spinners, and not opting to take the new ball. Perseverance with spin paid off when left arm spinner ‘Fearless’ Freddie Fallows picked up two wickets in three balls.

Cronie (60) 80b was magnificently caught by Steel at deep mid off, one handed, low down. A ‘Worldie’ from the Bearded Wonder. Two balls later Brandon Glover (0) 2b was bowled by Fallows.

At the fall of this wicket (4.45pm) the umpires took the players from the field due to bad light. Play was subsequently abandoned for the day at 5.21pm. Northamptonshire leading by 400 runs with one wicket in hand. CJ White 4*.

The match scorecard can be viewed HERE