Scriven Shines For Second XI
Fri 15 Apr 2022
By Pete Johnson
A full day’s play was possible on day 3 of the SEC between Leicestershire and Lancashire, the first two days’ play having been severely disrupted by the elements.
Lancashire closed on 312-8, holding a lead of 188 runs going into the 4th and final day. Matty Hurst making 101, well supported by JJ Fielding who weighed in with 71. Tom Scriven the leading wicket taker for the Foxes with 4-53.
Lancashire resumed their first innings on 3-0, trailing on first innings by 121 runs. Ben Walkden 0* JJ Fielding 2*. A bright yellow thing, of a circular appearance, that had been AWOL on days one and two, was prominent in the sky when the players took to the field.
Arav Shetty had been drafted into the Lancashire side, replacing Jack Blatherwick, who had been summoned to join up the First Team squad.
We noticed that the Groundsman’s tractor was not hooked up to the covers, a sound barometer of the imminent weather conditions, so we were confident that no rain was in the area. Abidine Sakande and Roman Walker opened the attack for County, and nine of the first 11 overs of the morning were maidens. You would only see as many maidens so close together on a day at the races!
Ben Walken (0) was bowled by Roman Walker during the multitude of maidens. A fitting reward for the wholehearted Welsh Warrior. When Sakande and Walker were removed from the attack, Lancashire were 14-1 off 13 overs. Only one further wicket fell in the morning session, George Lavelle (19) being caught a second slip by Walker off Tom Scriven. Lancashire into lunch on 71-2 from 34 overs. Fielding 40* George Bell (3*).
The Foxes claimed two wickets immediately after lunch picking up a wicket in each of the first two overs. Bell (3) was pinned in front by Scriven, and then Tom Hartley (0) was caught behind by Sam Bates off Sakande. The Red Rose County on 73-4 from 35.3 overs.
Lancashire then took a firm grip of the game. Fielding went to his 50 (8x4) 137b, soon afterwards a 50 partnership was shared between Fielding and Hurst. County had success four overs before tea when Freddie Fallows, purveyor of slow left arm bowling, bowled Fielding (71) 187b, with his third delivery. Lancashire into tea on 156-5 from 66 overs. Hurst 40* Subhaan Mahmood 1*.
In the fourth over after tea, Hurst went to his 50 (7x4) 108b. Hurst and Mahmood brought up their 50 alliance from 81 balls, when the score reached 197-5 from 75 overs. The new ball was taken as soon as it was available, but County were unable to dislodge Hurst and Mahmood.
Hurst went to his 100 (15x4) 179b when he drove Scriven down the ground to the boundary. Scriven getting revenge soon afterwards when Hurst (101) was caught behind by Bates off Scriven. Hurst’s first century for Lancashire 2nd XI.
A couple of overs later, Scriven trapped Mahmood (23) in front. Lancashire 251-7 from 94.2. Liam Hurt arrived at the crease, and was in belligerent mood, making 29 (5x4/1x6) from 27 deliveries. Hurt’s cameo came to an end when he was bowled by Alex Evans. Arab Shatty 21* and Tom Aspinwall 9* saw Lancashire into stumps on 312-8 from 106 overs.
Leicestershire stuck to the task well with Sakande and Walker being extremely economical, and Scriven returning commendable figures of 18-5-53-4. Mention also to wicket keeper Bates, who made some exceptional takes behind the stumps, from many deliveries that swung late, and occasional wides, diving full length to his left, and right on several occasions, cleanly gathering the ball.
Countless ‘sideways rolls’ after taking the ball, by the Groby Gloveman, who may well soon be known as ‘Dyson’ with the amount of time he is on the floor! The days play finishing at 6.59pm, so it was straight from scoring a cricket match to concentrating on City in action against PSV Eindhoven. City losing 0-1 at present, but things may change…
The match scorecard can be found HERE.
