Parkinson Takes Three But Rain Scuppers Seconds
Thu 31 Aug 2023
By Pete Johnson
Bad light and subsequently rain had the upper hand on day four of the SEC game between Leicestershire and Derbyshire at Loughborough Town CC. The match being abandoned as a draw at 4.30pm as a result, with Derbyshire on 189-8, leading Leicestershire by 196 runs.
Matt Lamb making an unbeaten 63 for the Peakites. Callum Parkinson picking up three second innings wickets for the Foxes.
Derbyshire resumed on their overnight 29-2, Harry Came 11* Archie Harrison 0*. Leicestershire got a breakthrough in the 6th over of the morning when Came (18) 53b was caught at second slip by Roman Walker off the bowling of Ed Barnes.
A further four overs had elapsed when Harrison (25) 44b was caught behind by keeper Harry Swindells off Barnes. Derbyshire 62-4 from 25.3 overs. Leicestershire in the ascendency. Lamb was defending resolutely, his strike rate hovering around 30. He found an ally in Derbyshire skipper Anuj Dal, the pair posting a 50 partnership from 104b when the score reached 112-4 after 42.4 overs.
Three balls later Dal (24) 54b was caught low down at slip by Walker from a delivery by Sam Wood. County then got a wicket with the last ball before lunch, Youseff Bin Naeem (1) 9b pinned lbw by Will Davis. Bin Naeem having made a century in the first innings. Derbyshire into lunch on 117-6 from 45 overs, leading by 124 runs, with a minimum of 67 overs remaining in the day.
During the morning session I noticed there was just a sprinkling of die hard spectators in the ground. The assembly of cricket connoisseur’s not into double figures. Will Tarrant joined Lamb after lunch.
In the 7th over after lunch, we witnessed a scintillating piece of fielding by Sam Evans to run out Tarrant. Lamb played a delivery from Davis out towards extra cover, Evans running in at speed gathered the ball somewhat akin to a sparrow hawk swooping down on its quarry, and threw down the wicket at the strikers end from a distance of some 35 yards, Tarrant well short of his ground.
Like his namesake Chris of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire fame, Tarrant should phone a friend or ask the audience before taking the 50-50 option of taking a single when the ball is in the vicinity of Evans! Derbyshire 138-7 after 52.1 overs.
Will Mead joined Lamb, and the pair stifled the County attack for over 70 minutes, and all but ensuring Derbyshire salvaged a draw from the game. Lamb went to his 50 (7x4) 119b, when the score reached 164-7 from 66.1 overs. Mead (20) 71b went lbw to Parkinson five overs before tea. Derbyshire on 179-8 from 72.3 overs.
Lamb (63*) 149b, and Nick Potts (1*) 16b took Derbyshire into Tea on 189-8 from 78 overs, a lead of 196 runs with a minimum of 34 overs remaining. As the players walked off the field for tea, light rain began to fall. The rain stopped during the interval, but a prompt resumption at 4pm was not possible due to bad light.
At 4.30pm the umpires called play off, the game resulting in a draw. Parkinson taking 3-46 in Derbyshire’s second innings, bowling a mammoth 53 overs during the match. Ed Barnes the leading wicket taker for the Foxes in the match, returning match figures of 29-8-78-5. Leicestershire 9 points Derbyshire 9 points.
A few thank yous on behalf of Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Sincere thanks to Ed, and his helpers for all their hard work on the ground before, during and after each days play. Thanks to Rebecca for providing welcoming teas and coffees pre-match, and to all other volunteers at Loughborough Town CC for their efforts in accommodating the fixture. Finally, thank you to Clare and Freya for the excellent food provided over the four days. Everyone’s efforts and contribution are very much appreciated.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
