Kimber Century Sets Up Intriguing Final Day

By Pete Johnson

Going into the fourth and final day of the SEC match between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire at Uppingham School, Nottinghamshire need a further 328 runs to win with nine wickets in hand.

Leicestershire declared their second innings on 309-8, Louis Kimber making an eye catching 142, and Roman Walker weighed in with 52*. In reply Nottinghamshire were 128-1 at stumps.

Both sides made a change to their lineups overnight. Louis Kimber came in for the Foxes, replacing Rehan Ahmed, who had been called up for England Lions duty. Nottinghamshire brought in Academy member Qundell Haider as a concussion replacement for Ben Martindale.

Leicestershire resumed on their overnight 44-1, Sam Evans 18*, Rishi Patel 17*. County were subject to an unfortunate dismissal from the final ball of the first over of the morning. Patel drilled seamer Joey Evison to the extra cover area, both batters had an error of communication with a ‘yes/no/yes moment’, after which they had both progressed towards the middle of the wicket.

Sam King’s throw made a direct hit on the stumps at the bowlers end with Patel short of his ground. Patel (17) 47b. Patel who may have felt somewhat responsible, sacrificed himself by running to the end that the fielder took aim at. County 44-2, no addition having been made to the overnight score. A somewhat rather detailed explanation, and personal opinion on a run out, but it is early in the day!

Kimber joined Sam Evans. Evans and Kimber posted a 50 partnership in 103b, the score having progressed to 94-2 from 33.2 overs. Just after their 50 alliance came up, I noticed a couple of members of staff from the nearby funeral parlour, dressed in full formal attire, watching the game by the gate near the Pavilion.

Kimber was in bullish mood, and went to his 50 (6x4/1x6) 65b, when he deposited spinner Calvin Harrison over long off for a maximum. Evans meanwhile was keeping the score ticking over with singles and twos.

A couple of overs after Kimber had reached his 50, Evans (44) 122b was bowled by Jack Peirce. Leicestershire 122-3 from 41.5 overs. Harry Swindells joined Kimber. Swindells (5) 14b was caught behind by his opposite number Dane Shadendorf off Harrison in the final over before lunch. County into the break on 133-4 from 46.2 overs, Kimber looking menacing on 58*.

Prior to the start of play I had a chat to some UCG ‘Royalty’, that renowned character ‘Stench’, a founder member of ‘The Stench and Benno Stand’. A most amiable, and knowledgeable chap regarding all things Foxes, relating to both cricket, and football. He had dusted off his bus pass and ventured into deepest Rutland to see Leicestershire 2’s in action.

Sam Bates joined Kimber immediately after Lunch, and the pair racked up a 50 partnership (108b), when Kimber launched Harrison over long off for 6. Kimber duplicating the way he went to his personal half-century. Leicestershire 184-4 from 64.2 overs.

Bates was playing a somewhat sedentary role by his standards, notching up just two boundaries during his stay at the crease. Kimber and Bates had added 61 for the 5^th wicket when Bates (22) 58b was caught in the mid-wicket/mid-on area by Fateh Singh off Harrison. County 194-5 from 66.2 overs.

Three overs later, Kimber went to a superb 100 (9x4/3x6) 155b when he cut Harrison square for two. A great effort by the ‘Lincoln Lara’ who was in imperious form, and dismissive of offerings presented to him by the Nottinghamshire attack.

Roman Walker had joined Kimber. Kimber and Walker brought up their 50 partnership at exactly a run a ball, the score on 244-5 from 75.3 overs. In the final over before tea, Kimber (142) 175b, still fervently attacking the bowling, skied seamer Sam King up to mid on where Harrison snaffled a steepler.

A magnificent innings by Kimber, who must have a liking for the Nottinghamshire attack as his highest 2^nd XI score for Leicestershire is 178 v Nottinghamshire at Notts Sports Ground in 2021.

Ed Barnes went next ball lbw to King. Will Davis (0) 3b, took one for the team, departing caught in the same position as Kimber, off the same bowler (King), in the final over before tea. County into the interval (and what a magnificent display of food always awaits us at this esteemed seat of learning) on 268-8 from 78.3 overs, Walker 24*.

After tea, Walker and Gavin Griffiths were aware that a declaration was on the immediate agenda. Nottinghamshire took the new ball as soon as it became available, which was 1.3 overs after the restart.

Walker made it his business to remove the shine from it in the quickest possible way, moving into T20 mode to get to his half-century as quickly as possible. Walker went to his 50 (7x4) 54b when he smashed Peirce through long off for a boundary.

At the end of that same over Leicestershire declared on 309-8 (83 overs) Walker (52*) 57b, Griffiths (11*) 10b. Two undefeated half-centuries in the match for Walker, to go with the unbroken century he made in the previous 2^nd XI game v Worcestershire at Barnt Green. Walker may soon be affectionately known as The Hermit, because you cannot get him out of late!

Sam King the most successful of the Nottinghamshire bowlers with 3-34 from seven overs. Leicestershire leading by 454 runs. 26 overs remained in the day.

Soloman Budinger and Matthew Montgomery opened up for Nottinghamshire, and got the innings off to a very respectable start. A 50 partnership came up after 7.3 overs, Budinger went to his 50 (7x4) 49b, and a century partnership was posted after 17.6 overs.

The dangerous looking partnership came to an end when Budinger (68) 63b pushed a delivery from Nat Bowley up to mid off, went for a single, was sent back, but the throw from Barnes arrowed in to ‘keeper Bates, who dismantled the woodwork, with Budinger short of his ground. Nottinghamshire 121-1 from 21.2 overs.

Night watchman, Qundell Haider, joined Montgomery, and the pair safely saw Nottinghamshire into close of play on 128-1. Montgomery 54*, Haider 0*. Nottinghamshire needing a further 327 runs to win going into the fourth, and final day.