Evans and Ackermann Earn Final Day Draw

A resilient second innings batting display from Leicestershire at Emirates Riverside salvaged a final day draw for the second Sunday in succession.

Mirroring last week’s nail-biter against Worcestershire, the draw was largely thanks to a Running Foxes opener carrying his bat. Sam Evans this time taking the honours, with a defiant 77 not out from 254 balls, while skipper Colin Ackermann provided ample resistance with an unbeaten 40 (96b).

An overnight declaration from the hosts left County with an unlikely victory target of 395 runs to chase in 96 overs.

Openers Hassan Azad and Evans set their stalls out early, displaying obdurate defence. The seventh over saw another milestone for the former, who brought up his 2,500^th first-class run with three off Chris Rushworth.

Both batsmen received blows to the helmet amidst a barrage of chin music from the Durham attack, as Matty Potts in particular looked to replicate his first innings ferocity.

However, the two were undeterred, with a couple of glances to fine leg for four by Evans bringing up the half-century stand half an hour before lunch.

On the stroke of the interval, Azad made an uncharacteristic mistake. A Liam Trevaskis delivery kept low and skipped through the left-hander’s legs to end the opening stand of 66. Azad out for 25 (85b).

George Rhodes got off the mark with the final delivery before the break, crashing the ball for four through the off side. Leicestershire lunching on 71-1, Evans 35 unbeaten.

Rhodes looked fluent after the restart, guiding three further boundaries to the fence, before he was strangled down the leg side for 23, affording Oliver Gibson his maiden first-class wicket.

Evans, now joined by Ackermann, was still unflappable. He went to 50 with a back foot drive for two off Scott Borthwick. A knock defined by forbearance, with Evans facing 140 deliveries before he could lift his bat to recognise the applause.

Tea arrived following another resolute session for the Running Foxes. As with the morning, only one wicket had fallen, with Evans (61*) and Ackermann (12*) encumbering the hosts’ attempts to force victory.

A batting-friendly pitch, offering occasional low bounce, allowed the pair to tick the score over nicely without too much danger. A late cut off Gibson by the Leicestershire skipper brought up the 150 and the half-century partnership simultaneously, before Durham captain Borthwick decided to see out the game with 13 consecutive overs of spin.

Stoic resistance from Evans (77*) and Ackermann (40*) allowed both captains to shake hands early shortly after 5pm to confirm the draw.

Leicestershire take 12 points ahead of the visit of Derbyshire on Thursday (21 April).