Hero Hill makes maiden first-class hundred

Lewis Hill made the most of an opportunity to open the batting by hitting a magnificent maiden first-class century on the opening day of the LV=CC game against Surrey.

Hill, who was brought in for the injured Matthew Boyce, scored 126 off 147 balls in his first innings at the top of the order as Leicestershire posted 292 after winning the toss at the Kia Oval.

Ben Raine also continued his bright to the season in making 57 as part of an important sixth wicket partnership of 120 with Hill and dismissing the openers.

But Surrey closed on 105-2 with vastly experienced duo Kumar Sangakkara and Kevin Pietersen still at the crease on 35 not out apiece.

Angus Robson departed for six early on, bowled by the lively Matt Dunn (4-72), before a purposeful 91-run stand between Hill and Ned Eckersley put the visitors’ noses in front.

County’s LV=CC top-scorer Eckersley dispatched Tom Curran for three fours in an over and moved to 48 by lofting Zafar Ansari back over his head twice for four before edging Curran to Jason Roy at second slip.

It was suddenly 104-3 when captain Mark Cosgrove, driving at Dunn, was caught behind by Gary Wilson off an inside edge without scoring.

Hill reached his fifty in the last over before lunch off 72 balls but Curran struck twice after the interval to put Surrey on top. Neil Pinner and Niall O’Brien were both caught at first slip by Sangakkara for 17 and 16 respectively.

But Hill, who was cutting, pulling and sweeping ever more fiercely, found a useful ally in Raine and the duo shared 120 in 23.2 overs.

Hill moved into the nineties with the second of two flat-batted sixes over mid-wicket off Ansari before bringing up his maiden first-class hundred, which came off 125 balls and included 14 fours and two maximums, with a quick single off Gareth Batty.

Leicestershire, however, then lost their last five wickets for 17 runs. Dunn eventually ripped out Hill’s off stump with a delivery not dissimilar to the one that accounted for Robson, though not before Raine had moved to a 72-ball half-century.

Clint McKay was lbw for four, playing back to Batty, and Rob Taylor (3) went caught behind off Dunn. Raine edged a back foot drive off Chris Tremlett through to wicket-keeper Wilson for 57 and the tall seamer struck again when Jigar Naik (1) was caught low down by Roy at second slip.

Tea was taken at the end of the 66-over innings so Surrey had 30 overs to bat in the final session. The openers both made 15 before falling to Raine; Ansari, pushing forward, going caught behind and Rory Burns chopping on.

Pietersen announced himself with a glorious cover drive for four and signed off for the day with a straight six off Naik, while Sangakkara went down on one knee to punch Charlie Shreck through extra cover twice in as many overs.

Bowling figures: McKay 9-4-16-0, Shreck 6-0-29-0, Raine 8-1-37-2, Taylor 4-0-11-0, Naik 3-1-9-0.