Naik tames Tykes with seven-for

REPORT | By Pete Johnson

Second Eleven Champiosnhip Day 2: Leics 530-9 dec (Boyce 161, Pardoe 144, Ali 84) lead Yorkshire 123 (Naik 7-29) and 134-4 by 273 runs.

Scorecard

Jigar Naik claimed a superb 7-29 as Leicestershire Second XI closed in on victory in the opening Championship fixture of the season against Yorkshire at Hinckley Town/CCA.

Play got underway at11.30am following early morning rain with the umpires just making sure that conditions were fine for bowling from the Football Stand End. It was blustery, cold and cloudy as Leicestershire batted on, extending their overnight 458-6 to 530-9.

Aadil Ali progressed to 84, his batting on the second morning featuring a couple of trademark sixes over long-on. James Sykes (5) was caught behind off Moin Ashraf to the first ball he faced on the second day before Zak Chappell played a beautiful innings. His 41* off just 27 balls featured six fours and a maximum.

Ali and James Pearson went, caught at long-on and stumped off Tom Craddock respectively, and County called it a day on 530-9.

Yorkshire were skittled out for 123 in their first innings as Naik ran through the visiting batting order. It was seam that initially did the damage though as Pearson trapped Ben Ainsley lbw from the Pavilion End.

Jonny Tattersall and Dan Hodgson progressed the score to 62 before trialist Dan Hampton caught Tattersall napping, rattling one into his pegs. Naik then operated successfully from the Football Stand End, starting with the wicket of Richard Pyrah in his first over. The away skipper was well held low down by Matt Pardoe at short mid-wicket.

Ryan Gibson was caught behind by Lewis Hill as Rob Taylor took a wicket, and the on-song Naik then dismissed the final six Yorkshire batsmen. Hodgson was pinned lbw, Jordan Thompson was caught by skipper Matt Boyce at short leg, Matthew Waite was held by Pardoe at mid-wicket, James Wainman was bowled first ball, Craddock went held by Sykes and Ben Coad saw his stumps disturbed.

Yorkshire openers Tattersall and Ainsley found themselves in the same boat as earlier in the day as the Tykes were unsurprisingly asked to follow-on. Ainsley set sail for his second journey to the wicket but Pearson again ended his journey, this time bowled.

Tattersall and Hodgson formed another decent partnership before the latter was caught by Sykes at mid-off off Taylor. Sykes himself had a long, probing spell and was rewarded with two wickets, both caught behind by Hill.

Pyrah was first to go and Tattersall, who had looked a safe bet to make it through until stumps, went for 57 in the final over of play. His battling 50 came from 115 balls with nine fours, Yorkshire closing on 134-4.