Cosgrove & Raine post half-centuries
Fri 7 Apr 2017
Leicestershire versus Nottinghamshire, Specsavers County Championship, Day 1:
SCORECARD | Available through ESPN Cricinfo HERE
INTERVIEW | Ben Raine spoke to BBC Radio Leicester's Richard Rae at stumps, the interview is HERE
HIGHLIGHTS | The highlights of the first day are available HERE
REPORT | Leicestershire showed spirit on the first day of the Specsavers County Championship game against Nottinghamshire at the Fischer County Ground.
Captain Mark Cosgrove and Ben Raine posted half-centuries as Leicestershire recovered to post 251 all out before Zak Chappell claimed an early Nottinghamshire wicket as the visitors closed at 52-1.
After Cosgrove found the boundary ten times in scoring 57, Raine (55) and Clint McKay shared 81 for the ninth wicket to help County record two batting points.
It was a positive response from Leicestershire, who were batting against Stuart Broad and James Pattinson in tricky overcast conditions after Chris Read opted to forego the toss.
The Foxes handed Specsavers County Championship debuts to both Colin Ackermann and Gavin Griffiths, with the latter impressing against Loughborough MCCU last week.
Notts’ international duo made an immediate impact; England seamer Broad forced Paul Horton (6) to play on in the first over of the day before Australian paceman Pattinson trapped Ackermann (7) leg before wicket to leave Leicestershire at 21-2 in the sixth.
Harry Dearden, who signed a new contract with the club before play got underway, battled hard alongside captain Cosgrove. The skipper guided a number of boundaries to vacant third man and through cover point as his innings started in traditionally free-scoring fashion.
However, just as the stand was developing nicely, opener Dearden fell after making 12 as he fenced at a rising delivery from Harry Gurney, captain Read completing the dismissal.
The left arm seamer then claimed a second wicket by bowling Mark Pettini (2) with a quality in-swinger and the Foxes were now at 70-4.
Cosgrove continued to play well and Lewis Hill also settled quickly, the duo advancing the Leicestershire score to 101-4 on the cusp of lunch.
Unfortunately Hill fell to what turned out to be the ball of the morning session after striking five fours in his lively 24. Pattinson claimed his second wicket of the day as Hill struck a short ball to Jake Libby at backward point.
Ned Eckersley (13) played some nice strokes but was leg before to Broad before Cosgrove progressed to a 70-ball half-century, a landmark that contained nine fours.
The captain struck another fine shot off Luke Fletcher to take his boundary account into double figures but he went to Broad courtesy of a terrific grab by Read, who was claiming his 1,000th catch in first-class cricket.
Chappell (30) and Raine added 34 in nine overs but the former fell for 30 as Fletcher struck for the first time, Patel taking a regulation catch at second slip to leave County at 169-8.
Another useful alliance developed between Raine and McKay - indeed, it became the highest of the innings - and their good work ensured Leicestershire banked their first batting point.
The stand also passed 50 before tea as both batsmen played some good strokes. These included a stylish square drive from Raine and a belting on-drive by McKay as Patel had a spell of slow left arm at the Pavilion End before the interval.
Leicestershire went in at 226-8 with Raine on 35 and McKay 29, and they continued their good work in the evening session. Raine had picked up six runs courtesy of overthrows before tea and then deposited a maximum off Patel as he moved towards 50, which was registered from 88 deliveries.
The 250 came up before the return of Pattinson at the Bennett End brought about McKay’s dismissal for 33, Riki Wessels taking the catch at first slip. Patel then finished the innings as Griffiths (1) edged through to Read.
Chappell got his team off to a flying start by dismissing Greg Smith (11) lbw and nearly made it two when Michael Lumb edged his second delivery. It was a tough low chance to Ackermann at second slip and the fielder couldn't quite cling on to the ball.
Lumb went on to strike three consecutive fours at the start of the 16th over in closing on 20 not out while Libby was unbeaten on 10.
TEAM | Horton, Dearden, Ackermann, Cosgrove (capt), Pettini, Hill, Eckersley (wk), Chappell, Raine, McKay, Griffiths.
Bowling figures for Leicestershire | Chappell 6-2-10-1, McKay 5-1-13-0, Griffiths 5-3-5-0, Raine 2-0-14-0, Ackermann 1-0-1-0.
