Gutsy Evans Century Sets Up Seconds Victory Charge
Thu 22 Jun 2023
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire took a firm grip on the game by posting a 2nd innings total of 425-7 declared. Sam Evans top-scoring with an unbeaten 129, Sol Budinger (95), just missing out on a century, and Scott Steel (55) weighing in with a half century. 104 overs, the order of the day, which included an extra eight overs to make up for time lost on day two.
We were greeted by warm sunshine when we arrived at Polo Farm, Canterbury for day three of the SEC between Kent and Leicestershire. One would expect nothing less bearing in mind it is the Summer Solstice today.
Leicestershire resumed from their overnight 86-0, Evans 17*, Budinger 66*, the Foxes leading by 72 runs. In the 5th over of the morning Evans and Budinger brought up their 100 partnership (151b). 5 overs later Budinger (95) 84b was caught at deep square leg by Ekansh Singh off the bowling of Arafat. Budinger scoring at more than a run a ball, no Kent bowler was successful in bowling a maiden over to ‘Bud the Blade’. County 137-1 from 29.5 overs.
A BBQ was on the agenda for lunch, and the catering ladies were busily preparing it to our immediate left. A tantalising aroma of chargrilled meat was in the air, complimented by an occasional veil of smoke drifting across the front of the scorebox.
Evans went to his 50 (5x4) 123b when the score reached 158-1 from 38.2 overs. Zen Malik (8) 42b was caught at deep mid wicket by Gareth Severin off Hamadullah Qadri some 6 overs later. A very good take by Severin, running towards the boundary with the ball coming from behind him. Leicestershire 174-2 from 44.4 overs. Evans (72*) and Vikai Kelly (15*) 29b took Leicestershire into lunch on 195-2 from 53 overs.
Just prior to the interval a splendid unseen gesture by members of the Leicestershire coaching staff brought much joy to a spectator. A gentleman who now resides in Kent, but was born in Leicestershire, and has recently been confined to a wheelchair was at the ground for the morning session.
On day two, a member of the staff at Polo Farm said that how chuffed said gentleman would be if he could get a Leicestershire hat. Dips Patel and Phil de Freitas sorted one out for him, along with another item of Leicestershire CCC apparel. Upon leaving the ground the gentleman’s wife, who was pushing his wheelchair told me about it, gave sincere appreciation, and thanks to me for what her husband had been given. She said he was so pleased. A great liaison job done by Dips and Phil, such little unseen gestures mean so much to some people, and give much credit to LCCC.
After 62.1 overs, Evans took a fearsome blow on the grill from a short ball from the extremely pacey Matt Quinn. After lengthy treatment from the Lloyd, the LCCC 2nd XI Physio, he had to leave the field. Evans retiring not out on 85 (192b), the score on 217-2.
Tristan Kennedy joined Kelly, and the pair kept the scoreboard ticking over, no boundaries but an abundance of 1’s and 2’s. Eventually, Kelley (34) 89b was caught at backward point by Ekansh Singh off left arm spinner Jaden Denly. Leicestershire 246-3 from 72.6 overs.
Jake Carstens (1) 9b went caught behind by keeper Harry Finch off seamer Ekansh Singh. County 249-4 from 75.1 overs. Scott Steel joined Kennedy. Kennedy taking a clutch of boundaries off spinner Denly. Kennedy and Steel posted a 50 partnership from 71b, the score on 302-4 from 86.6 overs. Leicestershire into Tea on 310-4 from 90 overs. Kennedy (46*) 92b, Steel (30*) 34b.
During the Tea Interval pace bowler Oli Curtiss replaced Barney Ford in the Kent side. The new ball was taken immediately after tea, 10 overs after it was available. Kennedy (46) 94b departed during the second over with the new ball, lbw to Curtiss. Sam Evans rejoined the fray, sporting a large bandage to the right of his chin, with quite a bit of dried ‘claret’ visible on it.
Steel was taking on the new ball on with vengeance, despatching Jas Singh for a boundary, and Curtiss for a boundary, and a maximum, punctuated by several 2’s that were fielded near to the boundary. Evans got right behind the first delivery he received, on his reappearance at the crease. Evans standing firm, not at all intimidated by a pace barrage following a nasty blow to the head.
Steel went to his 50 (4x4/1x6) 52b when he despatched Curtiss over long on for a maximum, no mean feat as the boundaries are long at Polo Farm, emphasised by the number of 3’s run in the game so far. Steel (55) 56b went caught at mid wicket by Ford (who was now fielding as a substitute) off the bowling of Jas Singh. Leicestershire 349-6 from 94.5 overs. Roman Walker (11) 15b appeared for a brief cameo before going lbw to Jas Singh. Leicestershire 365-7 from 98.4 overs. Sam Wood joined Evans.
7 overs later, Evans went to his century when he drilled Ekansh Singh through the covers for a boundary. A real grafting innings from Evans, his 100 (9x4) 222b. I mentioned yesterday the tortoise (Evans) and the hare (Budinger), you know the rest! A grafting and gritty innings from Evans, the skipper leading from the front. I imagine Evans may well play the card game Patience in his spare time. A great knock, Sam ‘The Wall’ Evans, anchor man supreme. Leicestershire on 385-7 from 105.1 overs.
Sam Wood (26*) 41b providing good solid support to Evans with a declaration now on the immediate agenda. Evans and Wood posted a 50 partnership from 75 balls, when the score reached 415-7 from 111.1 overs. Leicestershire declared their innings on 425-7 after 112 overs, a lead of 411 runs. Evans (129*) 244b, Wood (26*) 41b. Jas Sing with 2-79 the only Kent bowler to take more than 1 wicket.
10 Overs remained in the day. Kent closed on 46-0, Marcus O’Riordan (17*) 24b, Ben Compton (24*) 36b. Kent requiring a further 366 runs to win from a minimum of 96 overs, a rate of 3.81 per over.
A little addendum to today’s proceedings. During the morning session I became engaged in conversation with a ‘Man of Kent’ who had travelled across from Sussex on a mission to obtain autographs. He initially approached me for details of the players representing Leicestershire, along with details of the coaching staff.
He was into his 80’s, and had been collecting autographs since he was 10 years of age. He rattled off countless famous people from the world of sport, entertainment, showbiz, TV etc. He told me of his modus operandi of getting autographs, lurking around in hotel foyers was his go to option, also prowling around hotel car parks looking for team buses when football teams are in an area he chooses to visit.
He travels the length and breadth of the country on his mission. He gave details of many famous names in his autograph collection, Ingrid Bergman, Debra Kerr, Sammy Davis Jnr, Elton John, Neil Sedaka, Roy Orbison, Bruce Forsyth, Jimmy Tarbuck, Bradley Walsh, the list was endless. I asked him which was the best autograph in his extensive collection? Muhammed Ali was his reply.
He regaled me with his memories of men of the past from Kent CCC, including Colin Cowdrey, Godfrey Evans, Alan Knott, and Derek Underwood. Of more recent times David Gower and Paul Nixon were mentioned in despatches too. What a man, riveting to talk to him. Here endeth the longest day, in terms of daylight hours that is.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
