Patel and Walker Inspire Second XI on Opening Day
Tue 5 Jul 2022
On a warm summer’s day at the Upper Field, Uppingham, Leicestershire posted a total of 314-8 from 97 overs. Rishi Patel top scoring with 82, and Roman Walker ending the day 58*.
Uppingham School was the venue for the SEC between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. It is the first occasion Uppingham School have hosted a match involving Leicestershire for some considerable time.
Alumni of Uppingham School from the cricketing world include ex Foxes Jonathan Agnew, and James Whitaker. Other Alumni include Hugh Jackman, and Stephen Fry from the world of entertainment, and in more recent times McFly drummer (and also 2011 winner of Strictly), Harry Judd. Ex Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell, and celebrity Chef, Rick Stein are also ex Uppinghamians. I shall refrain from giving details of information I have gleaned from behind the bike sheds as my match reports continue to be family friendly!
Chris Wright, skippering Leicestershire, won the toss, and chose to bat. The number of spectators present was excellent for a 2nd XI game, comfortably north of 50! A few regular faces having crossed the border into Rutland from Leicestershire.
Hassan Azad and Sam Evans opened the innings for County, but Evans (5) went caught behind the wicket by Dane Schadenorf off Jack Peirce in the 6th over. Rishi Patel joined Azad, and the pair posted a 50 partnership from 59 balls, the score on 58-1 from 15.5 overs.
Four overs later Azad (38) was pinned in front by Leicestershire loanee Joey Evison, the score 83-2. Rehan Ahmed arrived at the crease, fresh from his call up to England Lions, and was scoring at just under a run a ball. Patel and Ahmed took the Foxes into Lunch on 131-2 from 29 overs. Patel 48*, Ahmed 32*.
During the luncheon interval, I was expecting to see Harry Potter sit down for a meal with us, as the layout is somewhat similar to the dining facilities portrayed at Hogwarts School! The Pavilion at Uppingham School is of a striking appearance externally, and could easily have been transported from the set of the TV series, Midsomer Murders.
Internally the pavilion has photographs and honours boards steeped in history. In the second over after lunch, Patel went to his 50 (9x4) 71b, and at the same time brought up a 50 partnership with Ahmed, from 68b.
Patel was finding the boundary on regular occasions with effortless shots straight out of the ‘textbook’. Patel and Ahmed both having contributed a maximum in their partnership. Three overs later, Ahmed (34) 42b went lbw to Peirce. County on 145-3 from 32.1 overs.
Harry Swindells joined Patel, and the pair had added 46 for the 4th wicket when Patel (82) was caught at short mid wicket by Matthew Montgomery off spinner Calvin Harrison. It was the first of three wickets to fall in eight balls.
Sam Bates (0) went caught at short cover from the next ball delivered by Harrison. In the next over Swindells (21) gloved one to slip off left arm spinner Fateh Singh. Leicestershire on 191-6 from 53.2 overs.
A rebuilding job to the innings was required. Roman Walker and Ed Barnes set about the task, and did an excellent job. They took Leicestershire into tea on 227-6 from 64 overs, Walker 14*, Barnes 18*.
In the 5th over after tea, Walker and Barnes posted their 50 partnership (98b). Both Walker and Barnes were looking extremely comfortable, but Barnes (29) was run out when attempting a sharp single after Walker pushed a delivery up to mid on. It remains to be seen if a Christmas card from Ed will be winging its way to Chateaux Walker!
A partnership of 63 between Walker and Barnes for the 7th wicket. Barnes stands very upright at the crease, and would not look out of place in a line of guardsmen if you stuck a bearskin on his head. Leicestershire 254-7 from 72.4 overs.
Chris Wright joined Walker. Nottinghamshire took the new ball immediately it was available. Wright (12) went lbw to Peirce from the 8th delivery with the new ball. Foxes on 281-8 from 81.2 overs.
Walker was joined by Will Davis. Walker went to his 50 (5x4) 111b, the score on 297-8 from 89.2 overs. A very resolute, responsible and solid innings from Walker, backing up his century in the previous SEC game v Worcestershire at Barnt Green. Walker and Davis took County to stumps on 314-8, Walker 58*, Davis 16*. Leicestershire 3 points, Nottinghamshire 2 points.
