Chappell, Sohail and Nabi in fine form

Leicestershire CCC seamer Zak Chappell performed well as the North won their warm-up fixture against Northants in Barbados.

Chappell returned figures of 2 for 43 from eight overs on a good batting surface, dismissing Rob Keogh and Steven Crook as part of a good day's work.

The paceman caught the eye alongside Yorkshire’s Matt Fisher after a score of 97 from former Foxes batsman Josh Cobb had threatened a much higher total than the 259 that Northants ultimately posted.

Lancashire wicket-keeper Alex Davies then raced to 50 in 26 balls, and 100 in 87, before being retired out by coach Paul Collingwood on 127 from 106, to allow some more of the North batsmen to spend some time in the middle.

Warwickshire’s Sam Hain, fresh from an impressive one-day series for the Lions against West Indies A, maintained his form with 57 from 53 until he too was retired – having shared a second-wicket stand of 99 with Davies.

Joe Clarke (Worcestershire) opened with Davies and made 40 from 43 balls in an opening stand of 114 until he was stumped by Adam Rossington off the bowling of Rob Keogh, and Keaton Jennings (Durham) and Adam Hose (Warwickshire) completed an emphatic victory with exactly 11 overs to spare.

Captain Steven Mullaney (Nottinghamshire) had claimed the best bowling figures for the North with four for 52, although it was Worcestershire leg-spinner Brett D’Oliveira who claimed the first two wickets as he was introduced first change during the powerplay.

Davies said: “That was a great preparation for us. With the ball everyone chipped in and there were some good performances, so the bowling side is looking good, and it was nice to get off to a good start when we batted. The pitch was good so me and Clarkey tried to give it a whack up top, and I got a few out of the middle.”

The North-South series gets underway on Sunday, and with the South also enjoying a warm-up victory against a Barbados Cricket Association XI, everything is set for three competitive matches.

* Mohammad Nabi was recently confirmed as the Foxes’ overseas star for Vitality Blast and the all-rounder has been demonstrating why he is so highly rated on the world stage.

Nabi played a key role in Afghanistan’s vital ICC World Cup qualifying win against the West Indies, taking 2 for 43 from 10 overs before making an important 31 in the successful chase.

He has been in good individual form throughout the qualifiers, making scores of 92, 51, 38, 34 and 31, as well as taking 10 wickets with a best of 4 for 33.

Leicestershire CCC’s overseas seamer Sohail Khan, who is covering for Muhammad Abbas in the early part of the season, has enjoyed success in the Pakistan Super League.

Khan has taken eight wickets in seven matches for Lahore Qalanders in the tournament, including a best haul of 3 for 34.

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