Maddy Impresses As Conditions Continue To Hamper Worcestershire Contest

By Pete Johnson

Only 30 overs were possible on day two of the SEC match between Worcestershire and Leicestershire, as the conditions continued to hamper play at Bromsgrove School.

After a three-hour ground delay on the opening day, overnight rain prevented play starting on time on the second morning, before Worcestershire proceeded to 345-9 at an early stumps.

Play commenced at 2.40pm with a minimum of 56 overs being available in the day. Worcestershire resuming from their overnight 242-6, Rob Jones 79*, Henry Hawes 26*.

In the 5th over, Jones and Hawes registered a 50 partnership, the score on 248-6, and four overs later Jones went to his 100 (11x4/1x6) 165b, the score now on 267-6. 

A further two overs had passed when Jones (109) 172b was stumped by George Maddy off the bowling of leg spinner Colby Dyer. Worcestershire 283-7. Hawes (45) 101b then suffered the same fate, stumped by Maddy off the bowling of Dyer. Maddy removing the bails in a nonchalant, and matter of fact manner. Worcestershire now on 304-8 from 82.5. 

Spinners Dyer and Ali Farooq were operating well in tandem, the new ball being available, but Leicestershire opted not to take it. In the last over before tea, Harry Darley (9) 20b tickled a delivery from Farooq down the leg side, ‘keeper Maddy pouched it with aplomb. Worcestershire 333-9 from 89.4.

A third victim of the innings for Maddy, who has kept in exemplary fashion during the game so far with some superb takes. No byes in the Worcestershire innings, this coupled with Maddy letting no byes through whatsoever in both innings of Leicestershire’s previous game against Gloucestershire.

Tea was therefore delayed with nine wickets being down, a further 30 minutes or eight overs being available, should the 10th wicket not fall. Ben Gibbon (44*) 67b and Yavinder Singh (1*) 10b took Worcestershire to 345-9 from a further 4.2 overs when the umpires took the players from the field because of rain.

Tea was immediately taken at 4.15pm. After a couple of inspections, play was abandoned for the day at 5.27pm, with only 30 overs having been bowled. Finally, a mention of 2nd XI Head Coach, Dips Patel, who is having to ‘fly solo’ on this game with other members of the coaching staff away due to age group games taking place concurrently. A great effort from Dips.