Kelley Hits Maiden Seconds Century
Tue 14 Jun 2022
Leicestershire 2nd XI returned to red ball action, following four weeks of involvement in the SET20 competition. Barnt Green CC was the venue for the SEC match versus Worcestershire 2nd XI.
Barnt Green is a quite exclusive, high price village some 10 miles from the centre of Birmingham. Very near to the ground runs the renowned Lickey Incline, a stretch of railway running down the Bunter geological formation to Blackwell, and Bromsgrove. The sound of passing trains is muffled by an adjacent dense copse of trees.
I am also reliably informed that the actor, Ian Lavender, who played Private Pike in the long running BBC TV series Dads Army, played as wicket keeper, on occasions, for Barnt Green CC many years ago. Amazing what you can find out, talking to the locals, during a pre-match stroll around the boundary edge.
Leicestershire had an excellent day, closing on 338-4. Academy Member Vikai Kelley top scorer for the Foxes, and registering his first century for the 2nd XI. Nick Welch, and Sam Bates posted half centuries. Academy Member, Sam Wood, just falling short of a half century. Rishan Herath another Academy member was making his debut for the 2nd XI.
Ed Barnes skippered Leicestershire, his opposite number Pat Brown won the toss, and chose to field. Wood and Welch opened the innings for the Foxes, and rattled up a 50 partnership after just 9.2 overs. Wood in very aggressive mode, finding the boundary on eight occasions during the early exchanges.
Wood and Welch had put on 70 when Wood (41) 37b edged a lifting delivery from Ari Karvelas through to keeper Cullen. Foxes 70-1 from 12.1 overs. Kelley joined Welch. Welch kept the scoreboard ticking over whilst Kelley dropped anchor to repel, and frustrate the Worcestershire attack.
Welch went to his 50 (7x4/2x6) 65b, when he deposited seamer Reeve Evitts straight down the ground for a maximum. Welch and Kelley brought up their 50 partnership (77 balls), the score having reached 122-1 from 24.5 overs. The pair safely saw County into lunch on 132-1 from 29 overs. Welch 56* Kelley 23*.
They had added 98 for the second wicket when Welch (71) 121b was caught at cover by Brown off left-arm spinner Jacques Banton. Leicestershire 168-2 after 45.2 overs. Sam Bates joined Kelley, and initially played a supportive role to Kelley, who was now going through the gears.
Kelley went to his 50 (6x4) 132b when he swept Banton just behind square for a boundary. Kelley and Bates brought up their 50 alliance from 96 deliveries, Kelley scoring the lion’s share of the partnership (42), Bates doing a fine impression of a human RSJ contributing 7 runs. Leicestershire into tea on 225-2. Kelley 79*, Bates 11*.
In the 12th over after tea, Kelley and Bates brought up their 100 partnership from 180 balls when the score reached 271-2 from 75.2 overs. Kelley was playing a resolute, solid, chanceless innings, showing maturity, and patience personified, far beyond his 19 years of age.
In the same over as the century partnership was realised, Kelley went to his 100 (11x4) 217b when he took a single to mid on off Banton. Applause from the pavilion veranda was loud, and sustained in appreciation of an excellent innings from Kelley that portrayed much application, concentration, and responsibility.
Soon after reaching his century Kelley (101) 226b (11x4) was caught in the gulley by Banton off seamer Cameron Jones. Nat Bowley joined Bates. Bates had previously been playing a supportive role, but now began to take on the Worcestershire attack.
The new ball was taken immediately it became available. Bowley took three boundaries off Jones, and Bates reciprocated by taking three boundaries in an over off Brown, the second of which, through third man, brought Bates his 50 (8x4) 99b.
After negotiating the new ball for 10.1 overs, Bates (67) 115b went bowled by Brown. Foxes on 330-4 from 90.1 overs. Bowley meanwhile was looking the part, having graduated to a middle order batting position. Bowley and Ed Barnes took County safely into stumps on 338-4. Bowley (22*) 65b, Barnes (5*) 14b. Leicestershire 3 points, Worcestershire 1 point.
