Finan Five-For Takes Seconds To Brink Of Victory
Thu 20 Apr 2023
Leicestershire’s Second XI closed in victory over Yorkshire, as a strong team performance left the 2s requiring just 67 further runs to win on the final day.
Michael Finan’s five-for and Harry Sullivan’s four-wicket haul helped skittle the visitors out for 192 earlier in the day, before Louis Kimber and Harry Swindells guided the Foxes to the brink of victory.
Finan replaced Arron Lilley overnight, while Isaac Light came in for James Wharton for the White Rose. Leicestershire resuming their first innings on 105/7.
Sam Wood departed for nought, chipping former Fox Ben Mike to Ben Cliff at mid on. Captain Will Davis joined Tom Scriven at the crease, with Scriven going to an excellent half-century from 89 balls (3x4) shortly after.
The pair put on 48 from 59 balls, a very handy 9th wicket stand, before Davis (27) edged Dom Leech to Will Luxton at second slip. Leicetsershire now into the lead, ahead by six runs, at 158/9.
Former Yorkshire man Sullivan, on trial with the Foxes, was the final man to go, bowled Leech for nought. Scriven ending on 55 not out, to back up a superb century last time out. Leicestershire 160 all out, leading by eight.
Finan struck early in the White Rose’s second innings. Vagadia (4) edging behind to Swindells with the score on six. County had to be patient for their second, with away captain Will Fraine and Luxton putting on a 77-run stand. Sullivan the man to end the resistance, as Luxton (27) cut to Davis at extra cover.
Harry Duke joined Fraine, who brought up his half-century off 81 deliveries at the start of the 30th over. Wicketkeeper Duke brought about the 50 partnership with a couple off Scriven, but the same bowler struck in his next over. Fraine (71) getting a thick edge onto an attempted flick, skewing straight up to Davis at mid on. Yorkshire 137/3, leading by 129.
Duke saw partners come and go regularly, with Ben Mike (1) and Alex Cree (7) both falling to Sullivan, before Finan removed Light, caught behind by Swindells for 4.
The latest dismissal starting a major collapse. Jafer Chohan was pinned in front by Finan for a three-ball duck later that over, Leech was bowled by Sullivan without scoring in the next, and Duke’s resistance was curtailed on 43 by Finan in the next over after that.
Ben Cliff was bowled by left-arm quick Finan shortly after to pick up his five-wicket haul, and complete a turnaround that saw Yorkshire fall from 183/5 to 192 all out. Finan’s figures reading: 10.5-1-43-5.
It left Leicestershire requiring 185 to win. Sam Evans fell LBW to Cliff for seven, but fellow opener Scott Steel was in confident touch. The all-rounder struck 46 from 51 balls, including a huge back-foot pull for six off Leech, before he was bowled by Jack Shutt.
Kimber (42*) and Swindells (22*) led Leicestershire to stumps just 67 runs away from the victory target, with an unbroken 57-run stand. The Foxes 118/2 heading into the final day at Kibworth.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
