Perfect ten!

* A full audio interview with BBC Radio Leicester presenter Richard Rae is available HERE

Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s guest speaker at the end of awards evening on Friday is Moeen Ali, who was recently described by some people as the best number eight in world cricket.

A couple of positions down, all-rounder Zak Chappell proved the perfect ten yesterday afternoon for Leicestershire, making a tremendous 96 in his maiden bat in first-class cricket.

The teenager was naturally disappointed to miss out on his century but was still able to reflect positively on the team’s situation.

Chappell also saw the lighter side of getting close, recalling a joke with umpire Neil Mallender after he had been put down off Wes Durston for a second time.

Chappell said: “My heart was in my mouth for a moment and the umpire told me to buy a lottery ticket when I was dropped on 90!”

“I knew (Mark) Footitt would swing it back in and I was trying to clip that ball through mid-wicket but I got a little inside edge and it ruined my day really!” he added, still smiling.

“It’s lovely to do such a good thing and it helped the team get out of a dodgy start and get a decent total. It was tough to start with but once you got in it was a little bit easier and I tried to make the most of it.

“The day turned out alright for everyone, which was the main thing, and we have something to bowl at. We’ll be looking for early wickets now.”

The 19-year-old was full of praise for Rob Taylor and Ollie Freckingham, who both made scores in the 30s and were perfect partners at the crease.

Chappell has played some long innings in the past, but this was a big step up and he took it all in his stride in surpassing Phil DeFreitas in making the highest score by a Leicestershire number ten batsman.

He said: “It was a really good standard of bowling and I really enjoyed the day. Rob (Taylor) did a great job by preparing me for what I was going to face, telling me all about the bowlers I would face. I was a little bit nervous and he settled me down.

“Frecko (Ollie Freckingham) batted really well and we were helping each other all the way. He played some nice shots and I was happy for him to get his highest score too.

“I have batted a long time for my school (Stamford) before but never on an occasion like that, so it’s been a great day. I didn’t notice all of the landmarks, but it was good to get past 50 and it was great fun out there.”