Sayer performs well on good day for Seconds
Wed 7 Sep 2016
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire took on Somerset at Taunton Vale CC in a recently arranged SEF. Taunton Vale CC is situated in deepest Somerset just outside the centre of Taunton, and some 11 miles from the nearest seaside resort of Burnham on Sea.
The cricket ground is bordered by the Sandra Wickham Hockey Stadium that boasts an all weather pitch, floodlights, and a small stand to accommodate spectators.
County had the better of the day dismissing Somerset for 183, and had replied with 129-3 at stumps. A good all round day for Rob Sayer who returned figures of 4-53 and weighed in with an impressive undefeated 36 towards the end of the day. Aadil Ali posted a solid unbeaten 42 at the top of the innings to put County in the ascendency at the end of Day 1.
A humid somewhat muggy morning greeted us upon arrival at this picturesque ground, there was certainly no autumnal feel in the air. Harry Dearden, who recently signed a contract with Leicestershire was skipper, called incorrectly, and his opposite number Adam Hose elected to bat.
Another newly signed player Gavin Griffiths was making his Leicestershire 2nd XI debut. Gavin was a little disappointed that Stacey was not able to come along to witness his debut for The Foxes.
A pink ball was being trialled for this game to see if it was easier on the naked eye to spectators than a red ball.
Eddie Byrom and Jim Allenby opened up for Somerset, and Byrom (0) was soon on his way caught just in front of short square by Tom Nightingale of the bowling of David Sayer, operating at the Town End.
Allenby and Tim Rouse then proceeded to post the highest partnership of the day adding 57 for the second wicket. Their 50 partnership came up from 17.3 overs. Allenby (28) went bowled by a jaffa from Tom Wells coming in from the Hockey Stadium End. Allenby appeared stuck in his crease, and Wells’ delivery came back in at him taking the top of off stump.
Rouse and George Bartlett had added 37 when Rouse (33) was bowled by Rob Sayer in the last over before lunch, therefore being able to digest his lunch some 3 balls earlier than he would have liked. Somerset going into lunch on 95-3 from 32.3 overs, Bartlett (18*).
After lunch Sayer bowled unchanged from the Hockey Stadium End, ripping out the upper middle order in a frugal spell of bowling. Bartlett (19) went in the second over after lunch caught down the leg-side by keeper Harry Swindells off Sayer.
The total had only moved to 101 when Wells, steaming in from the Town End, trapped Tom Banton lbw. Unlike his namesake Pato the Somerset gloveman did not have much to sing about.
Adam Hose had occupied the crease for 28 balls for two runs, when the tap was turned off on his innings, Sayer comprehensively bowling the Somerset skipper. Somerset now on 117-6.
A partnership of 44 then developed between Josh Davey and Ben Green. Green (17) was trapped in front by the indefatigable Sayer. Davey was lucky to survive a run out when a smart piece of fielding by Dearden produced a direct hit on the stumps with Davey just making his ground. Three runs after Green’s departure Davey had no more in his locker, and was run out.
Sam Evans scampered from short square to retrieve the ball, his throw missed the stumps but the ever alert Swindells gathered the ball and threw down the stumps. Scotland International Davey on his way for a well-crafted 37, Somerset on 164-8.
The innings soon folded after this with James Sykes claiming the last two wickets. Sam Underdown (0), whose name suggests a back to front Australian, was caught and bowled by Sykes, and after brief resistance Ollie Sale (13) went caught at first slip by Aadil Ali off Sykes. Somerset all out for 183 from 69.1 overs.
A good all round bowling performance from County, Rob Sayer leading the way with 4-53 from 22 overs and was ably supported by Sykes 2-28 from 8.1, Wells 2-30 from 13 overs, and David Sayer 1-11 from 7 overs. No wickets for Gavin Griffiths 0-34 from 13 overs or Rob Taylor 0-13 from 6 overs. However, both Griffiths and Taylor helped put a stranglehold on the Somerset innings. Tea was then taken.
There was a minimum of 34 overs left in the day when Aadil Ali and Harry Dearden opened up for County. Dearden (6) was dismissed early in the reply edging a delivery from Davey to keeper Banton.
Shortly afterwards Wells (9) drilled a ball from seamer Sale straight to Bartlett at cover. Meanwhile Ali was playing a solid innings uncharacteristically playing more blocks than you would see in a box of lego, but occasionally cutting loose, depositing spinner Rouse for one enormous straight ‘Aliesque’ maximum.
Sam Evans had joined Ali and played a very mature innings. The Postman as I call him, as he always delivers in some form or another, playing some delightful cover drives off the medium pacers. The pair had added 47 when Evans (22) nicked one to keeper Banton off spinner Rouse.
Rob Sayer joined Ali, and played a superb cameo innings making 36 not out from 42 balls. Rob Sayer taking three boundaries off seamer Liam Redrup, and one off Allenby. Allenby also got the treatment when Sayer lifted him for a straight maximum.
Ali, who had been on the field for the entire day’s play, going into stumps on a resilient 42 not out from 111 balls. At stumps County were 129-3, trailing by 54 runs. County will be hoping to build on the foundation that has been laid, and both Ali and Rob Sayer will be looking to go large in an effort to build a challenging lead.
