Raine and Abbas lead way for disciplined Foxes

SCORE | Day 1 of 4, Specsavers County Championship: Leicestershire CCC v Sussex CCC 254 for 7 (96 overs)

SCORECARD | Available through ESPN Cricinfo

REACTION | All-rounder Ben Raine spoke after the day’s play

HIGHLIGHTS | In-play highlights are available throughout the 2018 season

REPORT | Ben Raine and Muhammad Abbas led a superb bowling performance as Sussex were restricted to 254 for 7 after electing to bat in the opening Specsavers County Championship game of 2018.

Raine returned 3 for 56, Abbas took 2 for 42 from 23 threatening overs, while the whole attack were highly disciplined on a sunny day at the Fischer County Ground.

Leicestershire CCC made one change to the side that drew to Loughborough MCCU as Ateeq Javid came in for Ned Eckersley (groin injury). 

It meant that the Foxes had two first-class debutants in Javid and Pakistan international Abbas, who was soon in the thick of the action after Ben Brown opted for a coin toss and called correctly.

Overseas bowler Abbas and Gavin Griffiths set the tone for the day by being probing with the new ball. Abbas settled in extremely well to his new home; an initial seven-over burst cost just four runs.

The FCG was soon bathed in sunshine and Raine struck in his first over after replacing the accurate Griffiths. He drew the outside edge of opener Luke Wells (2), and Lewis Hill did the rest behind the stumps.

Hill was again in the action during the next over – and in some style. Abbas took his first Leicestershire wicket with a beautiful delivery that swung late to Phil Salt (21), the ‘keeper diving across first slip to take a wonderful catch, leaving Sussex at 25 for 2.

County struck for the third time in the session on the stroke of lunch. Neil Dexter became the third seamer to take a wicket, removing Harry Finch for 14 courtesy of a catch by Colin Ackermann at gully.

Conditions were pleasant for batting after lunch with a combination of warm sunshine and a good wicket. Experienced duo Stiaan van Zyl and Wright came together and showed great application, paying respect to County’s bowling while punishing any loose deliveries. 

The pair reached a fifty partnership which was soon broken by Callum Parkinson. The spinner struck with his second ball as van Zyl (44) pushed at a ball which found the edge, and Ackermann took his second catch of the day at first slip.

Brown joined Wright and the pair again built a solid partnership. Wright was the first batsman of the game to post 50, a landmark that came from 92 balls (9x4).

Sussex went into tea at 160 for 4 with Wright 55* and Brown 21*. The Sussex skipper reached his own half-century from 97 balls, hitting five boundaries. The pair reached their century partnership in the 80th over as the Foxes took the new ball. 

County stuck to their task and gained their reward. Abbas broke the 119-run partnership as Brown (64) was caught at first slip by Paul Horton, and Raine built on the success by disturbing the stumps of Wright (88) and Ollie Robinson (0) with consecutive deliveries, the latter offering no stroke.

Michael Burgess (7*) and Ishant Sharma (8*) regrouped to see the visitors through to stumps but Leicestershire CCC could be delighted with their day’s work.

TEAM | Carberry (capt), Horton, Ackermann, Cosgrove, Javid, Dexter, Hill (wk), Raine, Parkinson, Griffiths, Abbas.

FIGURES | Abbas 23-9-42-2, Griffiths 21-8-58-0, Raine 19-4-58-3, Dexter 13-5-46-1, Parkinson 17-4-39-1, Javid 3-0-7-0.

PHOTO | Thanks to Neville Chadwick Photography for the photo of Ben Raine bowling today.

* Admission to the second day's play against Sussex CCC costs £12 for adults and £2 for under 16s. You can also follow the Foxes at the Fischer County Ground throughout the 2018 season by becoming a Member of the club. For further details on the advantages of joining us, please follow the link HERE