Headley Takes Five On Dream Debut As Hull Makes Injury Return

By Pete Johnson

Josh Hull marked his return to action with two wickets as Leicestershire’s Second XI completed a resounding victory over Yorkshire on Tuesday.

But the star of the show at Kibworth was 18-year-old Academy bowler, Raiffe Headley, who took five for 28 in a stunning debut display.

Louis Kimber captained the Foxes, although his opposite number Wil Luxton won the toss and chose to bat. Yorkshire found it very hard going against the Leicestershire attack, being dismissed for 99 in just 14.2 overs.

Hull - missing of late with a heel injury sustained on England Lions duty - snared the first of the day, as opener Yash Vagadia (7) picked out debutant trialist Stuart van der Merwe in the deep.

Right-arm seamer Headley - son of former England bowler, Dean “ then set the game alight with a magical second over midway through the innings, collecting three wickets for just two runs. Yorkshire, already in trouble at 70-4, finishing it on 72-7.

Jordon Thompson, Jawad Akhtar, and Matt Milnes all victims to Headley, all three departing without scoring. Headley took a caught and bowled to dismiss Akhtar, that was ‘Budingeresque’ in its brilliance, a one-handed diving catch to a ball very firmly driven back at him.

In Headley’s next over, the 12th of the innings, he picked up a further two wickets, just four runs yielded this time. Yorkshire’s top scorer Harry Duke (23) being a victim, swiftly followed by Dan Moriarty. At this point., Headley had figures of 5-16 from three overs.

Josh Hull wrapped up the innings when he had Jafar Chohan caught behind by George Maddy. Yorkshire 99 all out. Other wicket takers in addition to Headley were Josh Hull 2-25 from 3.2 overs. Matt Salisbury 1-3 from two overs. Ali Farooq 1-20 from 3 overs, and Colby Dyer 1-17 from two overs. Mention of good catches taken in the deep by Van de Merwe, Headley, Usman Minhas, and Jamie Dunk.

Jamie Dunk and Sheridon Gumbs opened the innings for County, putting on a 50 partnership from 35 balls. The duo reached the landmark by collectively taking a whopping 23 off Jay Singh’s final over of the Powerplay.

Gumbs (20) 21b departed a couple of balls later and Dunk (31) 22b, who was top scorer for Leicestershire, was dismissed after 8.2 overs, when the score was on 68.

Maddy (12) 13b, van de Merwe (2) 7b, and Kimber (9) 5b all came and went but Minhas (7*) 8b and Dyer (10*) 7b saw Leicestershire home by five wickets after 13.5 overs.

A completed scorecard can be viewed HERE.