Josh Hull Records Second XI Bests As Twos Defeat Northants
Wed 26 Jul 2023
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire recorded an emphatic victory against Northamptonshire cruising to victory, winning by eight wickets inside two days.
Leicestershire’s
victory was very much indebted to a last wicket stand of 72, between Roman
Walker and Josh Hull, the highest partnership of the match. Walker making 57,
and Hull weighing in with 32 not out. Hull’s highest 2nd XI score.
Hull then returned career best 2nd XI bowling figures of 5-22, in
Northants 2nd Innings.
Leicestershire resumed from their overnight 85-5, Scott Steel (5*), Roman Walker (7*), trailing Northamptonshire by 67 runs. In the first 40 minutes of the day, Steel (17), Ryan Klein (5), Sam Wood (4), and Will Davis (0) were all victims of seamer Raphael Weatherall, leaving County on 126-9, after 37.5 overs, still trailing by 26 runs on first innings.
Walker and Hull then built a crucial partnership for the last wicket, going a long way towards the Leicestershire victory, as runs were at a premium in this match. Walker and Hull stayed together for 22.5 overs.
Walker went to his 50 (6x4) 75b when he drove left-arm spinner Freddie Heldreich through the covers for a single. Walker and Hull brought up their 50 partnership (95b) when the score reached 176-9 after 53.3 overs. Walker and Hull had added 72 runs for the 10th wicket when Walker (57) 102b was bowled by seamer George Gowler. A splendid contribution from the Welsh Wizard.
Walker received top class support from Hull (32*) 75b. Magnificent effort from Hull. Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer would be hard pushed to put in a better performance at Number 11, albeit that would be at his residence in Downing Street!
Leicestershire 198 all out from 60.4 overs, a lead of 46 runs. Innings closed at 1.03pm, so lunch was taken. Weatherall returning career best 2nd XI figures for Northamptonshire of 6-37.
During the time we had spent at the County Ground, Northampton, I noticed that the flags at the Lynn Wilson End of the ground were flying at half mast in tribute to Tony Kingston the Northamptonshire 1st XI scorer of many years, who passed away recently. Tony was much valued and respected by all at the Club.
After 17.4 overs of their 2nd Innings Northamptonshire had been reduced to 40-6, still trailing by six runs. Harry Gouldstone (0) bowled by Hull, Rohan Mehmi (5) lbw to Ryan Klein, Rishabh Upadhyay (10) bowled by Walker, Jack Attenborough (2) bowled by Walker, Aadi Sharma (11) lbw to Walker, and Arush Buchake (11) lbw to Davis.
Aum Raykar (31*) and Ethan Rice (7*) took Northants into Tea on 82-6 from 33 overs, leading by 36 runs. Raykar and Rice had added 47 for the 7th wicket, when in 4th over after tea, Hull bowled a double wicket maiden.
Rice (10) was removed from the menu by Hull when he was bowled, and Heldreich suffered the same fate two balls later. Hull running in ‘Tigerishly’ (any football fans reading this will get the connection) from the David Capel End. Northamptonshire on 87-8 from 36.4 overs.
It took a further 7.5 overs for Leicestershire to pick up the remaining two wickets. Raykar (47) 68b was caught behind by Harry Swindells off Hull, and the innings came to a close when Gowler (0) was bowled by Hull. Northamptonshire 109 all out from 44.3 overs.
Leicestershire seamers taking all of the wickets. Josh Hull picking up career best 2nd XI bowling figures of 5-22, from 11.3 overs. Roman Walker 3-9 from five overs, Will Davis 1-22 from eight overs, and Ryan Klein 1-22 from 10 overs.
Leicestershire required 64 runs to win from a minimum of 22 overs left in the day. County reached their target after 12, when the score reached 65-2. Sam Evans leading the way with (46*) 49b. Batters dismissed were Joe Johnson (5), and Harry Swindells (12). Jake Tarling (0*).
Leicestershire winning by 8 wickets, the game concluding at 6.14pm. The Foxes remain unbeaten in their 2023 SEC campaign. Played 7, Won 5, Drawn 2. Of the 32 wickets to fall over the two days’ play, 26 were either bowled or lbw, five caught by the wicketkeeper, and one caught at 3rd slip.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
