Davis and Walker Star As Seconds Skittle Northants On Opening Day
Tue 25 Jul 2023
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire 2nd XI returned to action with an SEC match against Northamptonshire, at the County Ground, Northampton.
On a day dominated by seam bowlers, honours were even at close of play on day one. Northamptonshire being dismissed for 152, Will Davis picking up four wickets, ably supported by Roman Walker, Sam Wood and Ryan Klein with three, two and one wicket respectively. Leicestershire closing on 85-5.
No play was possible until 1.30pm as a result of early morning rain that was evident until 11.30am. An early lunch was taken, and play commenced at 1.30pm with a minimum of 75 overs available in the day. Northamptonshire ground staff having done an excellent job to get the game started by 1.30pm.
Sam Evans skippered Leicestershire won the toss, and asked Northamptonshire to bat. Ryan Klein, a right arm medium pace bowler, who has represented the Netherlands at ODI and T20 matches, was making his debut for Leicestershire 2nd XI.
Northamptonshire were reduced to 38-2 after seven overs, Davis bowling both openers, Rishabh Upadhyay (4), and Harry Gouldstone (28). Walker joined the attack to bowl the 12th over, and took two wickets with his first three balls. Aadi Sharma (10) was caught behind by keeper Harry Swindells, and Jack Attenborough (0) went lbw. Steelbacks on 41-4 from 11.3 overs.
The score had progressed to 79 when Rohan Mehmi (17) was trapped in front by Klein. Two more wickets fell shortly afterwards. Aum Raykar (3) caught behind by Swindells off Wood, and Ethan Rice (4) bowled by Wood. Northants 100-7 from 31.4 overs. Arush Buchake (41*), and Freddie Heldreich (2*) took the host County into tea on 113-7 from 33 overs.
Just before the tea interval, a gentleman from the catering staff delivered tea to the scorers. A fine gesture as a return journey of some 84 steps over six flights of stairs have to be negotiated in order to gain access to the ‘nerve centre’ in which we operate.
In the 7th over after tea, Buchake went to his 50 (9x4) 70b. Exactly 50 runs had been added for the 8th wicket when Heldreich (27) was bowled by Walker. Leicestershire claimed the remaining two wickets for just two further runs. Raphael Weatherall (10) went lbw to Davis, and Buchake (54) caught by Swindells off Davis.
Northamptonshire 152 all out from 44.1 overs. George Gowler (0*). Impressive figures from Davis 9.1-2-28-4, and Walker 12-4-23-3. Ably supported by Wood 5-1-17-2, and Klein 5-2-16-1. Josh Hull 9-3-40-0, and Uttam Ramji 4-0-17-0 not picking up any wickets.
A minimum of 28 overs remained in the day when Leicestershire commenced their innings at 5.25pm. County closing on 85-5 when bad light brought an end to the days play with two overs remaining. Harry Swindells (41) 49b being the main contributor to the County total.
Other batters dismissed Sam Evans (0), Joe Johnson (16), Jake Tarling (0), and Tristan Kennedy (11). Scott Steel (5*), and Roman Walker (7*) seeing out the final six overs of the day. Leicestershire trailing by 67 runs with five first innings wickets in hand.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
