Farooq Takes Four As Seconds Begin Essex Contest
Tue 24 Jun 2025
By Pete Johnson
Academy Scholar Ali Farooq picked up four wickets as Leicestershire began their Second Eleven Championship clash against Essex at Billericay CC.
The hosts ended day one on 339-5 from their allotted 96 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
Leicestershire had to wait until the last over before lunch to take their first wicket, Nick Browne (46) being caught a first slip by Sheridon Gumbs off the bowling of Farooq. Essex into lunch on 117-1 from 28.5 overs, Jonny Connell (55*) 80b.
In the second over after lunch, Jamal Richards (0) was trapped lbw by Farooq. A further 35 runs had been added when Connell (81) 114b was bowled by the left-armer, leaving Essex on 156-3 after 38.4 overs.
Areeb Rashid joined Simon Fernandes at the crease, and they had added 19 runs for the 4th wicket when Rashid (7) was caught at deep mid wicket by Usman Minhas off the bowling of seamer Nick Green. Essex on 175-4 from 47.5 overs.
Fernandes was joined by Omar Akram, and they posed a stubborn alliance to the Leicestershire attack subsequently taking Essex into tea on 234-4 from 64 overs, having posted a 50 partnership just six runs earlier.
After the restart, Fernandes went to his 50 (7x4) 93b, swiftly followed by Akram also notching up his 50 (10x4) 85b. After 75.1 overs the pair brought up their 100 partnership, before registering their 150 stand 14 overs later. Essex on 325-4 from 89.3 overs.
Leicestershire finally made a breakthrough, and it was another victim for Farooq, when Akram (84) 153b was caught at deep mid off by Liam Tew. Essex closing on 339-5. Fernandes (89*) Ali Zeb (8*).
Farooq came on to bowl at 12.24pm, bowling the 21st over of the innings, and bowled unchanged until Tea was taken at 3.52pm. A marathon effort by Farooq who returned figures of 4-123 from 29 overs.
Nick Green the other wicket taker with figures of 14-6-28-1. Also, a mention to Liam Tew, who did not pick up a wicket but returned figures of 15-4-31-0, and had Fernandes put down on two occasions when on 8 and 67 albeit to difficult chances.
