Horton praise for bowlers
Wed 20 Apr 2016
You only get one chance to make a first impression, and Leicestershire opener Paul Horton grabbed the opportunity with both hands in Cardiff this week.
The former Lancashire batsman has made a significant impact off the field during the winter programme and pre-season, and then produced a fine performance on debut against Glamorgan.
Horton scored 67 and 64 not out and immediately formed a rapport with Angus Robson, whose pursuit of a third consecutive year of scoring 1,000 first-class runs began nicely with scores of 25 and 49 not out.
The duo looked a good combination at the wicket, sharing 89 and an unbroken 115 as County landed a fine ten-wicket win at the SSE SWALEC.
It was a flying start for both the team and Horton, who praised the Foxes bowlers for their work ethic on the first day and forcing the issue on day three.
"It's nice to start well and shows the hard work we've put in," Horton told BBC Radio Leicester's Richard Rae after the game. "We've done a lot of preparation over the winter and made a lot of changes, so to come and get some reward in the first game is very pleasing.
“It shows that the preparation, ideas and processes we've gone through gets results. It's nice to get a good result early on to show the lads that we need to keep doing the same things. We need to keep applying ourselves.
"We fought hard, it was an even battle and the game ebbed and flowed but we bowled well in the second innings. Clint McKay and Charlie Shreck led the attack and Ben Raine chipped in in the second innings.
“The bowlers also fought really hard after losing the toss, and to go past them and get a lead was a big step. We applied pressure and then finished the job, so it's a win that looks really good on paper. It's a great start but it's only our first game.”
* Horton’s maiden appearance for Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road will be on Sunday as Kent are the first visitors for the 2016 season. The club is hosting a free Open Day, with lots of activities planned alongside the cricket, so please come along and support the players!
