Lilley Hits Top Form As Seconds Win T20 Double Header
Sat 20 May 2023
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire made the short journey to play Loughborough UCCE in a SET20F ‘Double Header’ on the Haslegrave Ground at Loughborough University. County winning game one by nine wickets, and game two by 11 runs.
A word first about those unsung artisans of the cricketing circuit, the umpires, who ‘stand and serve’ throughout the season. Umpires today were Doncaster-based Simon Widdup, who was officiating his third Leicestershire 2’s game this week, being on duty at The Riverside, Durham, Headingley, Leeds, and now Loughborough Uni. He was accompanied by much respected Leicestershire-based umpire, Dan Pedley. Dan having travelled over from the south of the County, after having dusted down his trusted ‘Digit of Doom’.
Nick Welch skippered Leicestershire in both matches.
Game 1:
Trialist Harvey Jupp, a left-arm leg spinner made his debut for Leicestershire 2nd XI. Ex-Fox Nat Bowley was included in the Loughborough UCCE XI. Loughborough UCCE won the toss, and elected to bat. Leicestershire made regular inroads into the students’ innings, restricting them to 134-9 from their allotted 20 overs.
Number 3 Batter, Joshua Pistorius providing the only resistance with a well crafted 46 (38b). County’s two young spinners picking up two wickets each. Debutant Jupp claiming 2-17 from three overs, and Uttamn Ranji taking 2-19 from four overs. Pace bowler Mike Finan weighed in with 2-11 from four overs, seamer Chris Sanders 2-26 from three overs. Roman Walker 1-37 from four overs was the other wicket taker.
Leicestershire made light work of reaching their target knocking off the runs for the loss of just one wicket after just 13.1 overs. Openers Welch and Harry Swindells posted a 50 partnership (25b) Welch (36) 29b was dismissed after 7.3 overs, the score on 74-1.
Swindells went to his 50 (7x4/2x6) 30b. The Swindler’s half century including 2 maximums in one over where he deployed the scoop/ramp shot off of seamer Ravi Yarwood-Paintal. Swindells and Arron Lilley rattling up a 50 partnership (28 balls).
Lilley also depositing a bowler for two maximums in one over, Bowley being on the receiving end. County reached their target after just 13.1 overs when Swindells launched Yarwood-Paintal for a further maximum. Swindells aptly demonstrating that there are other forms of swotting that do not involve exams! Leicestershire 135-1, winning by nine wickets. Swindells (62*) 41b, Lilley (27*) 12b.
Game 2:
Rain fell during the interval between matches, so an extended break was taken, no overs being lost as overs do not come off until 30 minutes play have been lost. Academy member Liam Tew replaced Uttan Ramji for the Foxes. Loughborough UCCE made two changes Abhay Kotach and Alex Kaye replacing Ben Griffin, and Max Harris.
Leicestershire made 192-9 from their 20 overs. Lilley dominating the students’ attack with a blistering 85 (35b). Lilley, batting at number three, posted a 50 partnership (24b) with Zen Malik for the third wicket. Lilley taking 28 from the 6th over of the innings, sent down by seamer Everett.
Lilley went to his 50 (3x4/5x6) from just 19 deliveries. The ‘Beard to be Feared’ going to his half-century when he launched seamer Katoch over mid-wicket for a maximum. Malik (14) 17b departed in the next over.
Scott Steel joined Lilley, and the pair raised a 50 partnership from 26 balls. Lilley (85) 35b went caught in the deep by Bowley off Aaryan Pillai. A brutal innings from Lilley, the score on 150-4 from 13.6 overs. Steel then kept the score ticking along, whilst partners were coming, and going at the other end.
Steel (48) 31b was run out going for a second run, when three balls of the innings remained. Leicestershire closing on 192-9 from their 20 overs. Apart from Lilley, Malik, and Steel, Welch (14) 13b the only other batter to reach double figures.
Loughborough UCCE made a spirited effort to chase down the target thanks to Saqu Ndlela. Going in at number five, Ndlela (91) 47b took on the Foxes attack single handed, a revolving door being in operation for batters at the other end. Ndlela went to his 50 (1x4/6x6) 29b, the score on 122-7 from 14.6 overs.
When the last over arrived, 18 runs were required for victory, with two wickets in hand. Finan sent down the final over, taking the prized wicket of Ndlela 91 (4x4/10x6) 47b, when he holed out to Sam Evans at long on from the fourth delivery. A great effort from the Zimbabwe-born graduate.
Two dot balls followed, the students closing on 181-9, Leicestershire winning by 11 runs. Finan was the pick of the County bowlers returning figures of 3-27 from his four overs. All other bowlers used by Leicestershire took a wicket each: Walker, Sanders, Tew, Jupp, and Lilley.
My first visit to the Haslegrave Ground at Loughborough University, and after having a thorough look around inside the complex, I was extremely impressed with the outstanding indoor cricketing facilities.
