Robson anchors Leicestershire victory
Wed 3 Jun 2015
Leicestershire CCC opener Angus Robson produced another terrific performance as Leicestershire beat Essex by six wickets to claim 21 points in the LV=County Championship.
Robson followed up his superb 120 in the first innings with another masterful display at Chelmsford, this time hitting 71 that took his side to within sight of the winning post.
County went on to reach their 163 target on the stroke of lunch when Lewis Hill forced left-arm spinner Aron Nijjar into the covers for the winning single.
Hill (18 not out) was part of an unbroken stand of 46 with debutant Andrea Agathangelou, who struck an attractive, composed unbeaten 42 off just 41 deliveries.
The visitors had started the day requiring 108 more runs with all wickets intact and their opponents needing to take quick wickets if they were to stand any chance of victory.
But Robson and Boyce quickly ended such hopes as they scored at a run a minute during the first half-hour. Boyce was caught low down at slip by Nick Browne off Jesse Ryder for 24 after the pair had shared a vital opening partnership of 87.
Young seamer Porter breached the defences of Ned Eckersley (3) and captain Mark Cosgrove (2) and then claimed the wicket of Robson, who was caught down the leg side by James Foster. It was part of a burst where Porter took three wickets for the cost of 11 runs in the space of 25 balls.
Leicestershire were not going to be denied as Agathangelou and Hill took Porter's pressure off with a fine counter-attack. Agathangelou found the boundary on seven occasions while Hill’s knock included a huge six against Nijjar before taking the single which had his colleagues celebrating on the balcony.
Leicestershire now have a busy period as they look to build on this fine victory. A NatWest T20 Blast trip to face Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge follows on Friday evening while ICCC World Cup finalists New Zealand arrive at Grace Road for a 50-over game on Saturday (10.30am start).
County’s next challenge in the LV=CC comes against Surrey at Grace Road on Sunday morning, with play due to start at 11am.
