Sam Evans Hits Debut National Counties Century
Tue 26 Jul 2022
By Paul Bolton
Sam Evans and Mark Footitt swept Lincolnshire to an innings and 22 runs victory inside two days over Bedfordshire at Grantham that took them to the top of the National Counties Championship Eastern Division One.
Leicestershire batsman Evans marked his National Counties debut with a century which helped Lincolnshire build a first innings lead of 114 and Footitt, the former Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Surrey left-arm quick then tore through Bedfordshire who were shot out for 92.
Footitt improved on his Championship best figures in the first innings by taking five for 27 to finish with match figures of ten for 93.
Lincolnshire’s win also meant Evans won his friendly duel with his Leicestershire team-mate and namesake Alex, who bowled eight overs for 57 in Lincolnshire’s first innings.
Sam Evans struck 14 four and a six in his 130 from 186 balls and he shared a second wicket partnership of 143 with Jaden Fell who completed his maiden Championship century.
Evans and Ben Wright then added 96 for the fourth wicket with Wright rattling to 70 from 46 balls to take Lincolnshire to 327 for five.
Footitt and debutant Kurtis Watson then got to work, reducing Bedfordshire to 53 for eight with Watson bowling James Kettleborough for one - a rare failure by the former Northamptonshire and Glamorgan batter.
Captain George Thurstance, with 43, offered prolonged resistance but only two other batters reached double figures.
While Lincolnshire can look forward to a day off, Staffordshire and Norfolk will be hoping that they finally see some action at Leek where play was washed out for a second day running.
The match will now become a one innings contest with 12 points for the winner and four for the loser. But with no bonus points available it means that Lincolnshire will remain top after this round of matches is completed.
Grantham: Bedfordshire 313 (Aaron Thomason 116, James Kettleborough 85, Mark Footitt 5-66) & 92 (Mark Footitt 5-27), Lincolnshire 427-5 (Sam Evans 130, Jaden Fell 126, Ben Wright 70). Lincolnshire (24pts) beat Bedfordshire (5pts) by an innings and 22 runs.
