Rain Ruins Seconds' Final Day Victory Charge
Fri 14 Apr 2023
By Pete Johnson
It was just a little warmer when we arrived at Southport & Birkdale CC for the 4th and final day of the SEC between Lancashire, and Leicestershire. On previous days the temperature had been influenced by the wind chill factor, thankfully the wind had dropped substantially today, but a few extra layers of clothing were still required.
Unfortunately, only one session of play was able to be completed as a result of rain arriving during the lunch interval. However, Leicestershire had an absolutely excellent morning session. Their bowlers being so frugal, that they would have made miser look like a spendthrift. That included the avoidance of any wides or no balls during the fixture. Lancashire being asked to follow on after trailing Leicestershire by 161 runs.
The Foxes bowlers picking up the remaining four Lancashire 1st Innings wickets for just 22 runs in 16.3 overs. Louis Kimber returning career best 2nd XI figures of 4-11.
Lancashire resumed from their overnight 133-6, Danny Lamb 49* Jack Blatherwick 4*. Matthew Hurst had replaced Jack Morley overnight in the Lancashire side, Morley having picked up an injury on day three.
In the second over of the morning, Lamb went to his 50 (7x4) 81b. Two balls later, Lamb cut ferociously towards backward point from a delivery by Roman Walker. Joe Johnson palmed the ball upwards, and then caught the ball when it was inches from the ground. A great piece of fielding by Johnson (no relation!). Lamb (51) 83b, Lancashire 139-7 from 53.3 overs.
A couple of overs later, Matt Parkinson (0) 8b was comprehensively bowled by Walker. Lancashire 139-8 from 55.5 overs. Walker and Will Davis had both bowled impressive spells this morning putting a stranglehold on the Lancashire innings. Their figures for the morning session were: Walker 5-3-6-2 (28 deliveries being dot balls), and Davis 6-4-8-0. (34 deliveries being dot balls).
At one point, between them, the pair bowled 39 consecutive dot balls. The Foxes ‘Trophy Pair’ Walker (Walker Cup - Golf), and Davis (Davis Cup “ Tennis), were replaced by Kimber, and Tom Scriven respectively.
With the first ball of the second over of his spell, Kimber had Hurst (5) 19b caught at short leg by Johnson. Lancashire 149-9 from 63.1 overs, still requiring a further 17 runs to avoid the follow on. Kimber subsequently wrapped up the innings when he had Charlie Barnard (0) 14b caught behind by keeper Harry Swindells.
Kimber returning career best bowling figures in the SEC of 4-11 off 6.3 overs. Kimber’s figures this morning: 3.3-2-2-2. His final victim gave keeper Harry Swindells his 5th victim of the innings (four caught, one stumped). An excellent performance by the Leicestershire attack, wicket takers in addition to Kimber being: Walker 3-22 from 16 overs, Davis 2-25 from 16 overs, and Harry Sullivan 1-28 from 10 overs. Lancashire 155 all out after 67.3 overs at 12.11pm, trailing by 161 runs, and asked to follow on.
The Red Rose County had 29 minutes to bat before lunch. Davis picked up a wicket with the second delivery of the innings when he pinned Harry Singh (0) in front. George Lavelle (19) 24b and Arav Shetty (12) 28b took Lancashire into Lunch on 31-1 from 9 overs, still trailing Leicestershire by 130 runs.
Unfortunately, rain started to fall in the lunch interval, the umpires made several visits to the middle, an early tea was taken but no further play was possible, At 4.00pm, with no sign of the rain abating, the match was abandoned as a draw. Lancashire 7 points, Leicestershire 10 points.
Rain having the upper hand over the four days with only 160.3 overs being bowled, whilst 223.3 overs were lost to the elements. Just imagine how you would feel had you been on holiday in Southport!
Whist we are on the subject of statistics, you may recall from my despatches on day one that the scorers sit within touching distance of the railway line carrying trains from Liverpool to Southport. I can reliably inform you that trains en route to Southport pass the cricket ground at 09, 22, 36, and 50 minutes past the hour, and that trains en route to Liverpool pass by at 14, 29, 47, and 59 minutes past the hour. There was an occasional 2 minute variation in these times. Amazing what you notice over four days! If there are any insomniacs reading this last paragraph, I have audio tapes available from my Cottage Industry.......
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
