Minhas, Wood & Walker Lead Seconds' Fightback
Tue 30 Apr 2024
By Pete Johnson
Honours finished just about even on day two of the SEC between Leicestershire and Northamptonshire at Kibworth CC, as the visitors closed 67 runs in arrears with four first innings wickets in hand.
Usman Minhas made a superb 90 on his Leicestershire 2nd XI debut, ably supported by Sam Wood who made a solid 60 not out, before Roman Walker picked up a couple of wickets on his comeback from injury.
This was the 2nd XI’s tenth day of SEC cricket this season, and it transpired to be the first one in which a full day’s play has been achieved. The sun temporarily not on a zero-hours contract!
Leicestershire resumed from their overnight 123/6, Minhas 31*. Wood joined Minhas at the start of play, the Foxes having lost a wicket in the final over on day one. In the 9th over of the morning Minhas went to his 50 (6x4) 107b when he guided a delivery from spinner Rob Keogh down to long leg for three runs.
Minhas and Wood then brought up their 50 partnership (60b), when Minhas took paceman Tommy Sturgess for a maximum backward of square leg. Four deliveries later, in the same over, Minhas took another maximum off Sturgess.
Northamptonshire took the new ball immediately it became available, and from the first delivery with it, Minhas and Wood brought up their 100 partnership (132b), courtesy of a leg bye.
Wood then went to his 50 (4x4/1x6), 87b when he drove Sturgess through mid off for a boundary. The ‘Little and Large’ partnership between Minhas and Wood was ended when Minhas (90) (10x4/2x6) 153b was pinned lbw by Sturgess. A fine innings by Minhas on debut.
Josh Hull joined Wood, and from ‘Little and Large’ we were now in ‘Land of the Giants’ territory. Hull (6) 20b became another lbw victim for Sturgess. Alec McLaughlin joined Wood, and the pair took County safely into Lunch on 266/8 from 95 overs. Wood 57* McLaughlin 8*.
A great effort from Wood, displaying patience, and application, having batted through the entire pre-Lunch session. In the 5th over after Lunch McLaughlin (8) 34b was caught at long on by Michael Finan off the bowling of Rob Keogh.
Dinuk de Silva (4) 15b added eight runs with Wood for the last wicket before being caught by keeper George Hargrave off the bowling of Justin Broad. Leicestershire 275 all out from 99.2 overs. Wood 60* (5x4/1x6) 107b. Finan with 3-38 the leading wicket taker for Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire started their reply at 2.16pm with a minimum of 61 overs remaining in the day. George Hargarve and Arush Buchake opening the innings, with the pair posting a 50 partnership after 19.1 overs.
Leicestershire finally made a breakthrough when, with his very first delivery, leg spinner de Silva trapped Buchake (15) 65b lbw. Northamptonshire into Tea on 69-1 from 25 overs. Hargrave 35*Justin Broad 7*.
In the 7th over after Tea, the left-handed Hargrave went to his 50 (4x4) 96b, the score on 96-1. Two overs later, Hargrave and Broad brought up their 50 partnership (73b).
Some four overs later, Broad (44) 53b was caught at mid wicket by Sol Budinger off the bowling of Roman Walker. A further two overs had elapsed Hargrave (57) 113b was another victim for Walker, going lbw. Northamptonshire skipper Gus Miller and Rob Keogh were now at the crease.
Soon afterwards we witnessed an absolutely enthralling piece of cricket when Harry Swindells carried out a magical leg side stumping, standing up to medium pacer Liam Tew, to dismiss Keogh (12) 27b.
Swindells executing the stumping with aplomb, dislodging the bails with delicacy, and efficiency! A craftsman at work displaying his trade. The square leg umpire’s finger rapidly pointing skywards before The Swindler had got to the second syllable of his vociferous appeal. Northamptonshire 155/4. Rishad Upadhyay joined Miller.
Miller (30) 56b was caught at slip by Budinger off Hull, the ball gently looping up into the air. Charlie Oldershaw went first ball lbw to seamer McLaughlin. Northamptonshire on 182-6 from 55.2 overs. Upadhyay 17* and Finan 11* took Northamptonshire into stumps on 208/6 from 61 overs.
Leicestershire holding a lead of 67 runs. Walker the leading wicket taker for the Foxes with 2/36. Leicestershire 3 points, Northamptonshire 3 points.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
