SEC v Northamptonshire CCC 2nd XI Day One Report

Northamptonshire were hosts to Leicestershire for a SEC fixture at the home of Desborough Town CC.

We were in somewhat familiar surroundings as Desborough Town was a venue for Leicestershire 2nd XI home games up until a few years back. West Lodge Farm Park backs up to the ground, and as we are in the school holiday period, the sound of happy, and exited young children, on the various rides and amusements, provided a regular background sound to the cricket.

Northamptonshire closed Day 1 on 269-6, a spirited recovery thanks to a partnership of 159 for the sixth wicket between Northamptonshire Academy prospects James Sales and Gus Miller. Earlier in the day the hosts were in a little discomfort at 102-5.

Northamptonshire, skippered by Charlie Thurston won the toss, and elected to bat. George Rhodes captained Leicestershire, with Roman Walker making his Foxes debut. Just after the toss had taken place a heavy drizzle began to fall, as a result of which, play was not able to commence until 12.30pm. Sixteen over’s having been lost.

There was a hardy band of some 25 spectators assembled when the players took to the field, the majority of them taking refuge against an adjacent hedge in order to gain some shelter from a chill wind that was blowing across the ground.

Just 30 minutes of play was possible before Lunch. Ben Curran and Emilio Gay opened the innings for Northants, and took the home County into Lunch on 32-0 from eight overs. Leicestershire gained their first breakthrough with the second ball after lunch when Curran (21) edged seamer Alex Evans to wicket keeper Sam Bates. Soon afterwards Rehan Ahmed of Leicestershire had to leave the field as he was feeling unwell. Ahmed took no further part in the days proceedings.

Thurston joined Gay, the pair having added a further 30 runs when the left handed Gay sent an attempted hook shot, off Walker, spiralling up into the air. Wicket keeper Bates scampered after the ball, head looking skywards, the Groby Gloveman successfully pouching the catch in the vicinity of backward square leg.

68 for 2 soon became 72 for 3 when Thurston (15) drilled Walker straight to Rehan Ahmed at point. County were now in the ascendency, and picked up a fourth wicket with the score on 97, when Harry Gouldstone was bowled by Abi Sakande.

A couple of overs later, James Cronie (20) was caught behind by Bates off Sakande. Northamptonshire 102 for 5 from 25.1.

Northants went into Tea on 151 for 5 from 38 overs. Sales and Miller then forged a partnership of 159. Their 100 alliance coming up from 156 deliveries when the score reached 202 for 5 from 50.5 overs.

Miller went to his 50 (7x4) from 91 deliveries, Sales soon followed with his 50 (8x4) 84 balls. County finally got to break the partnership when Sales (71) got a leading edge to Walker, and was caught by Sam Evans running in from the mid wicket area. Unfortunately, not a good day at the Sales for Leicestershire!

Northamptonshire closed on 269-6 from 80 overs. Miller 83 not out, Simon Kerrigan 2 not out. Roman Walker finishing the day with 3-59 from 16 overs on his debut in a Foxes shirt.

By Pete Johnson