County lose opening game against Notts
Sun 9 Apr 2017
Leicestershire versus Nottinghamshire, Specsavers County Championship, Day 3:
SCORECARD | Available through ESPN Cricinfo HERE
INTERVIEW | Club Captain Mark Cosgrove spoke to BBC Radio Leicester's Richard Rae at stumps, the interview is HERE
HIGHLIGHTS | The highlights of the third day are available HERE
RESULT | Nottinghamshire (22 points) beat Leicestershire (5 points) by ten wickets
REPORT | James Pattinson and Luke Fletcher took their innings tally to nine wickets as Nottinghamshire complete a Specsavers County Championship victory by a ten-wicket margin on the third morning at the Fischer County Ground.
It completed a terrific game for Australia international Pattinson, who recorded match figures of 8-84 to go with a first-class career-best score of 89 not out on Nottinghamshire debut.
For Leicestershire, the major positive was the performance of Ben Raine, who scored 72 runs without being dismissed while claiming personal best figures of 6-66 in Nottinghamshire’s first innings.
And although the margin of victory turned out to be handsome for the visitors, the game was very much in the balance until Pattinson joined forces with England’s Stuart Broad during the second afternoon.
Pattinson made an immediate impact this morning by finding the edge of nightwatchman Gavin Griffiths with the fourth ball of the day, Greg Smith taking a fine catch at third slip.
The Australian seamer then claimed his fourth wicket as Chappell nicked an absolutely beauty through to Chris Read, leaving Leicestershire at 54-8.
Ben Raine (17 not out) played a terrific drive down the ground for four but Mark Cosgrove (21) was dismissed as he also showed intent, Michael Lumb pulling off a fine catch at mid-wicket as Fletcher joined Pattinson on four wickets.
Raine struck Fletcher for a mighty six over extra cover while four overthrows conceded by the bowler as he attempted a run out off the next delivery meant that Nottinghamshire would have to bat again.
Their target was only four, however, as Leicestershire were bowled out for 81 in their second innings. Pattinson bowled compatriot Clint McKay (8) in the next over to complete his five-for.
Smith and Jake Libby came out to bat and the former sealed victory with a maximum struck over long-on off the fourth ball of the second over.
Leicestershire’s next game is in the Specsavers County Championship against Gloucestershire at Bristol on Good Friday (11am start).
The Second XI get their season underway tomorrow against Nottinghamshire in the Championship. The match wil be played at Notts Sports Ground (11am start).
* Thanks to Ed Melia for the photo of Ben Raine.
