Scriven Stars On Rain-Interrupted Second Day
Wed 12 Apr 2023
By Pete Johnson
The rain clouds had well and truly got their act together prior to the start of day two of the SEC between Lancashire and Leicestershire at Southport & Birkdale CC.
Rain started to fall around 10.20am, and the groundstaff heroically applied the covers, and sheeting to the square whilst combating a gale force wind blowing in off the Irish Sea, in addition to the rain. All members of the groundstaff team, volunteers each and every one should be highly commended for their unstinting efforts during atrocious weather conditions.
An early lunch was taken at 12.25pm, with a view to a 1.05pm start. At 12.55pm, yes you knew it, rain started to fall! I am sure there must be an opportunity on Britain’s Got Talent for a member of groundstaff, as when they remove covers, and sheeting, it starts to rain, as if by magic!
Only 26.3 overs play was possible today, yesterday we had 29.5 overs, so only 56.2 overs bowled over the first two days of play. Leicestershire progressing to 189-6 from their overnight 90-2. Tom Scriven 48 not out, ably assisted by Academy Member Joe Johnson, the pair posting a partnership of 63 for the 6th wicket.
No play was possible before lunch, which was taken at 12.25pm, with a view to a 1.05pm start. However, rain was falling at 1.05pm, and after several appearances of the umpires peering skywards, and in deep discussion with the groundstaff, play eventually started at 2.50pm, with 54.1 overs remaining in the day. Leicestershire 90-2, Louis Kimber 38* Harry Swindells 6*.
One delivery was bowled, Swindells steering it through mid wicket for two. It then started to rain, and the umpires took the players from the field. Many Sacha Distel tribute acts based in the North West of England were then contemplating descending on the ground, as word got round! His most famous record, of course being, ‘Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head’.
Play got underway again after a 20-minute stoppage. Kimber (38) went lbw to Saqib Mahmood in the 2nd over after the resumption. Scott Steel joined Swindells, the pair having added 20 for the 4th wicket, when Steel (10) was bowled by Mahmood. Leicestershire 112-4 from 34.4 overs.
Tom Scriven joined Swindells, Scriven taking a boundary off Mahmood from the first ball he received. Swindells (22) went caught behind by keeper George Lavelle off Mahmood, leaving the Foxes on 125-5 from 36.3 overs.
Joe Johnson joined Scriven, and played an admirable supporting role. Johnson confidently played out a maiden from Mahmood soon after his arrival at the crease, going forward to a number of deliveries, the bat makers name ‘head on’ to the bowler. Scriven took a quartet of boundaries off seamers, Mahmood, Danny Lamb, and Luke Wood. Scriven and Johnson safely took Leicestershire into tea on 163-5 from 48 overs.
The scorers are housed in the Scorebox which is in the far corner of the ground, you need a Sat Nav to find your way to the Pavilion. The Southport Half Marathon is completed at every mealtime by my esteemed colleague Gary Morgan, and myself. (Might do myself a pack up tomorrow).
In the 6th over after tea, Scriven and Johnson brought up their 50 partnership, coming from 103 deliveries, Scriven contributing 33 (45b), and Johnson 10 (58b). Leicestershire 176-5. Scriven and Johnson had added 63 for the 6th wicket when Johnson 10 (64b) was bowled by seamer Jack Blatherwick. Good occupation of the crease by Joe Johnson, who defended solidly, and resisted stoutly until he was finally snookered by the Lancashire attack.
Nick Welch joined Scriven but only a further seven deliveries were possible before our old friend, the rain, appeared again. The players leaving the field at 5.29pm with Leicestershire on 189-6 from 56.2 overs.
A fine innings from Scriven, taking on the Lancashire pace attack with aplomb. Scriven 48* (57b), Welch 1* (3b). The light was now closing in, and with no sign of the rain relenting play was abandoned for the day at 6.00pm.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
