Good day for batsmen at Loughborough
Wed 13 Apr 2016
Angus Robson and Mark Cosgrove both made 59 in attractive innings as the match between Loughborough MCCU and Leicestershire ended as a draw.
Loughborough MCCU resumed their first innings on a dry and bright morning at 195-6 and declared with an eight-run advantage at 262-8.
Basil Akram was again the key man for the hosts, extending his unbeaten 50 to 87 before being the eighth wicket to fall, caught by Neil Dexter at long-on off Aadil Ali’s off-spin.
Zak Chappell claimed the other wicket in the morning by bowling Sam Grant (19) while Tom Nugent (10 not out) also offered Akram useful support. The former Hampshire all-rounder struck twelve boundaries in his 133-ball stay at the wicket.
Bowling figures for Leicestershire: Chappell 14-3-57-1, Raine 18-4-43-2, Shreck 18-1-45-3, White 17-1-80-0, Ali 6-5.-0-27-1, Cosgrove 3-1-7-1.
Robson was extremely quick out of the traps in Leicestershire’s second innings, striking nine boundaries as he recorded 50 off just 51 deliveries. The opener played a number of trademark cuts and drives in reaching the landmark.
Opening colleague Paul Horton offered valuable support, making a solid 32 as the partnership reached 91 before he was trapped lbw by Nugent. One wicket brought two as Robson was then bowled in the next over by Sam Cook, who was adding to his haul of four wickets in the first innings.
Dexter scored 16 but then nicked Bobby Gamble behind to Robbie White before the two Marks, Cosgrove and Pettini, shared an attractive stand of 69.
Leicestershire’s red ball captain moved to 50 off just 34 balls, striking seven balls to the fence in the process. Cosgrove hit another brace of boundaries before being held at the wicket by White off Nugent having scored 59 off 41 deliveries.
Pettini ended on 30 not out (38 balls) while Ben Raine (0 not out) was the other unbeaten batsman when the captains shook hands at 5pm.
Leicestershire CCC would like to thank Loughborough University for all of their help with hosting matches over the last two weeks while development work has been ongoing at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road. It has been much appreciated.
The team’s next challenge is the maiden Specsavers County Championship challenge of the season at Glamorgan on Sunday (11am start). A preview and squad news will follow in due course.
