Derbyshire Batters Dominate At Belper Meadows

By Pete Johnson

Derbyshire played host to Leicestershire in an SEC fixture at Belper Meadows CC. It was a tough day at the office for Leicestershire, taking just one wicket in each session of play, Derbyshire closing on 393-3, with Harry Came (151), and Anuj Dal (137*) making centuries.

There was a very respectable sized attendance present, for a 2^nd XI game, when play commenced, some 50 or so spectators. Amongst them being an ex Leicester Mercury cricket correspondent, resplendent in a different shade of headwear. He was sporting a ‘ratting cap’, in a somewhat pastel colour, possibly making its seasonal debut in view of the sunny conditions.

Harry Swindells captained the Foxes, won the toss, and invited Derbyshire to bat. Xavier Clarke, a trialist, made his debut for Leicestershire 2^nd XI. Ross Whiteley skippered Derbyshire. Harry Came and Mitchell Wagstaff opened the batting for Derbyshire.

Leicestershire picked up a wicket in the 13^th over of the morning when Wagstaff (14) was caught at mid off by Matt Salisbury off the bowling of Roman Walker. Walker picking up a wicket with the second delivery of his spell, Derbyshire on 43-1. Matthew Lamb joined Came.

Came and Lamb posted a 50 partnership in the 20^th over. Lamb went to his 50 (11x4) 46b some six overs later. The pair safely took Derbyshire into Lunch on 129-1 from 29 overs.

In the 3^rd over after Lunch, Came and Lamb brought up their 100 partnership. A couple of overs later Came went to his 50 (5x4) 97b. Derbyshire on 152-1 after 33.4 overs.

Lamb (76) 76b was a victim for Josh Hull when he spooned a catch up to keeper Harry Swindells. Derbyshire 154-2 from 34.4 overs. Leicestershire then had to wait until the 4^th over before close of play for their next success.

Anuj Dal joined Came and the pair posted a 50 partnership from 78b, the score on 204-2 from 47.3 overs.  Dal went to his 50 (7x4) 75b, the score on 247-2 from 59.5 overs. Came and Dal then brought up their 100 partnership from 172b in the 63^rd over when the score reached 256-2. Derbyshire into Tea on 261-2 from 64 overs, Came 95* Dal 56*.

In the second over after Tea, Came went to his 100 (10x4) 199b, when he clipped a delivery from Sam Evans through mid wicket to the boundary. Came and Dal then brought up their 150 partnership, in the 75^th over, the score on 305-2. Soon afterwards Dal went to his 100 (13x4) 127b when he drove a delivery from Dinuk de Silva through extra cover to the boundary.

Leicestershire took the new ball immediately it became available, Josh Hull and Matt Salisbury giving it their all, but with no reward. Came and Dal posted a 200 partnership from 294b when the score reached 355-2 after 83.1 overs. The next milestone in this statistical bonanza arrived when Came went to his 150 (14x4) 276b, Derbyshire on 386-2 from 90.4 overs.

Came’s innings finally reached its conclusion (nearly put came to an end), 3.1 overs before close of play, when he was caught at the wicket by Swindells from the bowling of seamer Julius Sumerauer. Came (151) 285b, surpassing his previous highest SEC score of 143. Derbyshire 391-3. Came and Dal having added 237 for the third wicket.

Ex-Fox Zak Chappell came in as Nighthawk, quite apt Chappell coming the crease when Evensong is due. Dal (137*) 176b and Chappell (0*) 9b safely seeing Derbyshire into stumps on 398-3 from the daily standard allocation of 96 overs.

A footnote to the day’s proceedings. I have been domiciled in many salubrious environments whilst carrying out my humble duties Scoring for the 2^nd XI. Today I was seated in a shipping container. If I have gone AWOL tomorrow, I could well be on my way to Folkestone or Dover.