Captain Ackermann Blasts Stunning Century In T20 Dress Rehearsal

By Pete Johnson

Colin Ackermann blasted a 47-ball hundred as a strong Leicestershire Second XI outfit fell 13 runs short against an equally powerful Derbyshire twos side.

Wayne Madsen made an exceptional 83 for Derbyshire, but his individual score was eclipsed by Ackermann, who made an outstanding 103.

The Netherlands international skippered the Foxes, and invited Derbyshire to bat. The Peakite’s included ex Fox Zak Chappell and Pakistan star Haider Ali in their XI.

Mike Finan and Wiaan Mulder picked up a wicket each before six overs had been completed. A third wicket partnership of 105 between Madsen and Leus du Plooy then put Derbyshire in sight of setting a very challenging total.

They brought up their 50 partnership (33b) when the score reached 112-2 from 10.6 overs. Du Plooy went to his 50 (4x4/4x6) 33b, 141-2 from 13.3 overs. In the next over, Madsen went to his 50 (4x4/2x6) 25b, 152-2 from 14.1 overs, at the same time their 100 alliance came from 53b.

Two balls later, du Plooy (58) 37b was caught in the deep by Sol Budinger off Finan. Madsen found another ally in Anuj Dal, the pair sharing a further 50 (21b), the score having progressed to 219-3 from 18.1 overs.

Madsen (83) 37b went from the next delivery, caught by Ackermann at mid on off Finan. A fine innings by Madsen, including (7x4/1x6). Finan and Mulder picked up a further wicket each in the last couple of overs, Derbyshire closing on 231-6. Finan 4-39 from 4 overs, and Mulder 2-33 from 2 overs.

In reply, Leicestershire lost two early wickets. Budinger (9) 7b and Lilley (9) 5b, after which Nick Welch and Ackermann got on the offensive against the Derbyshire bowling.

Welch (40) 24b went caught in the deep by Ben Aitchison, the Foxes on 74-3 from 7.3 overs. Ackermann stepped up to the plate, and really got after the Derbyshire bowling, Mulder having joined him.

Ackermann went to his 50 (7x4/2x6) 28b, the same delivery also realising a 50 partnership between the pair, from 25b. Foxes on 124-3 from 11.4 overs. In the following over, Mulder (14) 10b departed caught by Madsen, near to the long off boundary, off Chappell.

Ackermann then posted another 50 stand (23b) with Rishi Patel. Maximums from Ackermann were coming along like London Buses. Ackermann went to his 100 (10x4/7x6) 47b when he launched Chappell over long on for a maximum. Leicestershire 192-4 from 16.3 overs. 40 required for victory from 3.3 overs.

It proved a bridge too far. Ackermann (103) 49b departing from the final ball of the same over. A blistering innings from the skipper. 37 were now required from the final three overs for victory, but three wickets were lost in the three overs that remained - Rehan Ahmed (1) 3b, Rishi Patel (20) 15b, and Harry Swindells (9) 7b. Leicestershire closing on 218-8. Finan (0*) 2b, Callum Parkinson (1*) 1b. Derbyshire winning by 13 runs.