Nick Green Takes Three On Curtailed Opening Day At Bromsgrove

By Pete Johnson

Day one of Leicestershire’s Second Eleven Championship meeting with Worcestershire was disrupted by a near three-hour delay due to a ground problem with the bowlers’ run-ups.

Worcestershire closed on 242-6 at Bromsgrove School, Nick Green (3/54), Matt Salisbury (2/54), and Roman Walker (1/32) in the wickets for the Foxes.

Sam Wood skippered the side for the first time, won the toss, and invited Worcestershire to bat. Rehaan Edavalath captained the hosts.

In the morning session, Worcestershire progressed to 108-3 by lunch from 26 overs. Rob Jones (27*) and Dan Lategan (1*). Wickets to fall being opener Isaac Mohammed (3) caught at third slip by Jay Madan off Salisbury. Worcestershire skipper Edavalath (10) caught at first slip by Sheridon Gumbs, again off Salisbury, and Henry Cullen (61) caught and bowled by Nick Green.

In the 5th over after lunch, Lategan (17) was caught at first slip by Gumbs off Green. Just a further 1.2 overs were bowled when the players had to leave the field due to a problem with the bowlers’ run-ups at both ends. Worcestershire 147-4 from 32 overs

There was a drainage ‘trench’ some two to three yards behind the stumps at each end, running parallel to the width of the square. Upon their ‘final approach’ to the wicket, bowlers were experiencing unsteady ground beneath their feet, and the batters were also being distracted by dust flying up when the bowlers trod on the offending area.

The umpires suspended play at 2.25pm to allow the ground staff to work on the areas causing problems. I very much doubt if the Mariana Trench, the deepest trench in the world, has received as much attention in two and a half hours as the ‘Bromsgrove Trench’.

Play eventually recommenced at 5pm. From the 5th ball after the resumption, Fin Goodman (1) was caught at first slip again by Gumbs off Walker. Gumbs taking his third catch of the innings, all at first slip. Worcestershire 147-5 from 32.5 overs.

Rob Jones went to his 50 (7x4) 71b in the 40th over. Jones and Tom Hinley brought up their 50 partnership when the score reached 198-5.

After 47.1 overs, Hinley (30) departed to an excellent diving catch at cover by Usman Minhas off the bowling of Green. Jones (79*) and Henry Hawes (26*) saw Worcestershire into stumps on 242-6 from 64 overs.