Rain Truncates Second XI's Second Day

By Pete Johnson

Only 14.5 overs were possible, through a combination of rain and bad light on day 2 of the SEC fixture between Leicestershire and Lancashire.

Three minutes before the scheduled 11.00am start rain started to fall, resulting in that most depressing of sights, the covers being brought onto the field. It was a brief shower, and play was able to commence at 11.15am, four overs being lost.

Another cold, and cloudy day greeted the players at they took to the field, Leicestershire resuming from their overnight 89-6. Jack Nightingale 46 not out, Roman Walker 1 not out. 100 overs would be available in the day, eight overs being added to allotted 96 overs, to make up for some of the time lost on day one, but four overs were immediately lost due to the delayed start.

In the second over of the morning Nightingale (47) 88b, (7x4) was caught at third slip by JJ Fielding off Liam Hurt. I could suggest that Nightingale was fluttering outside his off stump, but I won’t even go there! Nightingale adding just one run to his overnight score, but his excellent performance with the bat yesterday should not be overlooked.

After a further two overs, at 11.30am the players left the field as light rain was falling. Leicestershire on 99-7. Play resumed at 12.20pm. Leicestershire’s innings only lasted a further 39 minutes. Gavin Griffiths (9) 29b was bowled by Hurt. Alex Evans (3) 12b caught behind by Lavelle off Blatherwick, and Abidine Sakande (0) 2b also went to the Lavelle/Blatherwick combination. Roman Walker (16*) 30b looked very comfortable, but ran out of partners. Leicestershire 124 all out in 48.5 overs. Hurt was the pick of the Lancashire attack picking up 5-44 from 20 overs. Hurt’s second 5-fer in 2^nd XI cricket.

Ben Walkden and JJ Fielding opened the innings for Lancashire, and had one over to negotiate before lunch, which was bowled by Sakande. It was negotiated safely, and the Red Rose County went into the interval on 3-0.

Only two overs were possible after lunch, before rain again took the players from the field. It was to prove the last action of the day. Umpires James Middlebrook, and Simon Widdup made several inspections, start times were agreed, but prior to each one rain fell again, or the light was not considered suitable. Tea was taken at 4.10pm, and following a further inspection immediately after tea, play was abandoned for the day at 4.35pm. Much respect to the hardy band of spectators who remained at the ground until the tea interval.

Special mention to Steve Pollard and his small team of helpers who put in a herculean effort throughout the stoppages in an effort to get the game back on.

The match scorecard can be found HERE.