Glamorgan Assume Control Despite Evans Half-Century
Wed 31 Aug 2022
By Pete Johnson
Glamorgan put themselves into a strong position on day two of the SEC v Leicestershire at Loughborough Town CC. Glamorgan being finally dismissed for 430 in their first innings, and at close of play, Leicestershire were 177-6, after an opening partnership of 106 between Sam Evans and Nick Welch. Foxes trailing by 253 runs.
A fresh, late summer’s morning greeted the players as they took to the field, Glamorgan resuming from their overnight 280-7, Tom Cullen 46*, Zain -Ul- Hassan 19*.
In the 5th over of the morning Cullen went to his 50 (6x4) 158b, and in the next over brought up a 50 partnership (128b) with Hassan. A further nine overs had elapsed when Hassan deposited Bowley over mid-wicket for a maximum to go to his 50 (5x4, one of which was all run) 92b. Glamorgan 337-7 from 110.2 overs, having just past the 110 over ‘cut off’ for bonus points.
Cullen and Hassan brought up their 100 partnership (218b) when the score reached 350-7 from 116.3 overs. Cullen (91) 218b chipped a delivery from Bowley to the short cover area where Hassan Azad took the catch inches from the ground. Cullen and Hassan having occupied the crease for 90 minutes in the morning. A solid innings from the Glamorgan skipper.
Rhodri Lewis joined Hassan, and the pair took Glamorgan into Lunch on 399-8 from 128 overs. Hassan 79*, Lewis 14*. During the morning’s play, the sound of steam engines could be heard intermittently from the nearby Great Central Railway. A very pleasant, nostalgic, and atmospheric backdrop to proceedings on the field of play.
I must mention that prior to the start of play I was given a bag of Butter Mintoes for my consumption during the day’s play. These were given to me by a gentleman who has legendary status on the local cricket circuit in groundsman’s circles. No names mentioned but he has strong connections to Rothley Park CC and Newtown Linford CC.
Glamorgan were dismissed after 7.5 overs of the post Lunch session, thanks to a brace of wickets by Will Davis. Davis trapped Hassan (90) 14b in front, and had Tegid Phillips (9) 17b caught by Roman Walker in the area of extra cover. Glamorgan 430 all out from 135.5 overs. Lewis (25*) 47b. Wicket takers for the Foxes were, Walker 4-92 from 30 overs, Bowley 4-107 from 33 overs, and Davis 2-71 from 24.5 overs.
Leicestershire set about their reply at 2.28pm, and openers Sam Evans and Nick Welch got the innings off to an excellent start. A half century partnership was brought up after 13.1 overs. Both players looked in good form, and were finding the boundary on regular occasions. Evans and Welch took Leicestershire into Tea on 94-0 from 22 overs.
At Loughborough Town CC, the scorers are domiciled in the scorebox some 100 yards or so, as the crow flies, from the catering facilities. Sincere thanks to the Leicestershire player who delivered hot drinks to us during the afternoon’s play. I won’t mention his name, but he would not look out of place in a basketball team, and his surname has an inference that he could all ‘ship shape’.
In the second over after tea, Evans went to his 50 (9x4) 71b. A century partnership was brought up between the pair (145b) when Evans took left arm spinner Lewis for boundaries off three consecutive deliveries.
Shortly afterwards, Welch (40) 77b went caught at second slip by Cooke off medium pacer Hassan, a rarebit of misfortune for Welch, who had looked set for a big score. Leicestershire 106-1 from 24.4 overs. An eye-catching performance from Hassan, who is a triallist for the Welsh County, a very probing, and controlled spell of seam bowling to go with his impressive innings earlier in the day.
After Welch’s dismissal, Glamorgan took the ascendency picking up a further five wickets for the addition of 71 runs to the total. Hassan Azad (3) 21b went caught and bowled by Lewis, and shortly afterwards Evans (80) 112b was bowled by spinner Callum Taylor.
When Sam Evans started his cricketing journey in the 2nd X1 some years ago, I used to refer to him as the Postman, because he always delivered. The one positive that you can say about his dismissal today is that the Postman is not now on strike! Not every day that you can get industrial action by Royal Mail into a cricket match report!
Debutant Aryan Patel (0) 13b was caught and bowled by seamer Andy Gorvin. A tough one to take for the young debutant, but many illustrious names from the past have been dismissed without scoring on debut.
Sam Bates (11) 41b was bowled by Gorvin, and Vikai Kelley (11) 25b went lbw to Lewis. Leicestershire on 160-6 from 49.1 overs. Umpires Jack Shantry and Dan Pedley conferred about the light during the final few overs of the day, but Ed Barnes (10*) 23b and Roman Walker (12*) 14b safely took County into stumps on 177-6 from 54 overs trailing by 253 runs. Leicestershire 2 points, Glamorgan 5 points.
