SEC v Durham CCC 2nd XI Day Two Report

A sunny but rather fresh morning lay in wait for us when we arrived at Kibworth CC for day two of the SEC match between Leicestershire and Durham. Although the forecast was very much for scattered showers, it transpired that we only had one brief stoppage for rain during the day. Play was scheduled for 104 overs today to make up for some of the lost time yesterday.

Durham were dismissed for 283 giving them a first innings lead of 92 runs. Scott Steel returning figures of 6-76 to back up the 86 runs he made yesterday. There were 19 overs remaining in the day when Leicestershire began their second innings.

They closed on 54-2, Sam Bates making 46 and being dismissed with the last ball of the final over of the day, Leicestershire trailing by 38 runs going into day three.

Durham resumed from their overnight 18-1, Cameron Bancroft 7*, Michael Jones 0*. After 12.2 overs of the mornings play a heavy shower forced the players off the field. Durham on 44-1 from 18.2. The stoppage only lasted for 18 minutes, resulting in 5 overs being deducted from the day’s allocated overs.

Bancroft and Jones brought up their 50 partnership from 133 balls, the score on 66-1 from 26.1 overs. Leicestershire’s bowlers were keeping it very tight, and runs were at a premium.

Just when it looked as though Durham would not lose a wicket during the morning session, Steel struck with the fifth delivery of his first over of the morning when Bancroft (40, 98b) attempted a reverse sweep and was caught in the slip area by Nick Welch. Durham 84-2 from 30.5.

Durham went into lunch, 4.1 overs later, on 94-2 from 35. Jones 26*, Jonny Bushnell 4*. Jones and Bushnell brought up their 50 (96b) partnership after a further 11.5 overs of the afternoon session, the score on 137-2 from 46.5 overs. Off the next ball Jones went to his 50 (125b, 2x4).

Bushnall (32, 77b) was bowled by Steel, Durham now 167-3. Steel then proceeded to bowl a double wicket maiden in the seventh over of his spell. Jones (67, 159b) was caught at short-leg by Dylan Church, and next ball Luke Doneathy was caught at slip by Welch.

Steel then picked up a five for when he had Paul Coughlin (15, 30b) caught at short-leg, again by Church. Steel having current figures of 5-37, from 12.1 overs. Steel, the battling batsman of yesterday with 86, becoming the tantalising twirler of today. Durham 195-6 from 65.1.

Skipper George Rhodes was now employing an all-spin attack, having joined the attack himself to partner Steel. In the final over before tea, Liam Trevaskis (18, 26b) went caught by Harry Dearden off Rhodes, Durham into Tea on 209-7 from 68.3.

After tea, Rhodes continued with Steel and himself. Tom Mackintosh (7, 15b) went caught behind by Bates off Rhodes. I noticed Rhodes was not tempted to set an umbrella field to Mackintosh. Durham 225-8 from 72.5.

Visiting captain Matthew Potts then got after the spinners, and went to his 50 (51b, 4x4, 3x6). Matthew Salisbury (11, 28b) then became the third batsman to be caught at short leg by Dylan Church, this dismissal off the bowling of Rhodes.

Dylan, unlike his namesake Bob, not making a song and dance about taking his third short-leg catch of the innings. Durham 267-9 from 81, Rhodes having against taking the new ball which available at the start of the over.

Potts (62, 55b) was the last man out, caught at deep mid-wicket by Abidine Sakande off Steel. Durham all out 283 from 83.4 overs, Steel returning figures of 21.4-4-76-6. Rhodes picking up 3-75 off 22, nine of the wickets to fall going to spinners, Durham having a lead of 92 runs on first innings.

There were 19 overs remaining in the day. Leicestershire opened up with Bates and Rhodes. Rhodes (3, 22b) went caught in the slip cordon by Coughlin off Potts, Leicestershire on 24-1 from 8.

Bates then gave a mini master-class of strokeplay. The Groby Gloveman hitting eight boundaries, seven of which were timed to absolute perfection, to the cover, mid wicket, mid on, and mid off areas.

The opener (46, 63b) was unfortunately dismissed from the final ball of the final over of the day when he was trapped in front by Salisbury. Leicestershire into stumps on 54-2 from 19 with Harry Dearden (4*, 29b).

Leicestershire 3 points, Durham 5 points.

by Pete Johnson