SEC v Northamptonshire CCC 2nd XI Day Two Report

Overnight rain had been evident in the Desborough area, but play was able to commence on time. Day two would consist of 104 overs, 8 overs being added to the days allocation to part make up for overs lost yesterday.

Lewis Hill came into the Leicestershire side, as a replacement for Rehan Ahmed who took ill on day one. Northamptonshire resuming on their overnight 269 for 6, Gus Miller 83 not out, and Simon Kerrigan 2 not out.

Leicestershire fought back well on day two, dismissing Northamptonshire for 348, Abi Sakande being the leading wicket taker with 4 for 73. When bad light stopped play for the day, with nine overs remaining, Leicestershire were 248 for 4, trailing by 100 runs with 6 wickets in hand. Hassan Azad top scoring with 91, ably supported by Sam Evans with 76.

It was a grey overcast morning when the players took to the field. About a dozen spectators were present, all seated in front of the hedge adjacent to the car park. The majority attired in anoraks, with the hood up to combat the elements, one hardy soul employing an umbrella to shield him from the chill wind. The loyal band of attendees would not have looked out of place on Skegness sea front in the teeth of a gale blowing in off the North Sea.

Miller and Kerrigan resumed the Northamptonshire innings, Leicestershire taking the new ball which was immediately available. Miller, after his defiant knock yesterday, went to the third ball of the morning, the first one he actually received, when he was expertly caught by Louis Kimber at second slip off the bowling of Alex Evans. Kerrigan, his overnight partner went four overs later, lbw to Sakande.

Ethan Rice went a couple of overs afterwards, caught by keeper Sam Bates off Sakande. Northamptonshire 297 for 9 from 87.4 overs.

We then had a partnership of 51 for the last wicket between numbers 10 and 11 in the batting order, Harry Warren and Freddie Heldreich. Both batsmen looking distinctly unlike ‘rabbits’ even if Warren’s name did suggest as such. The pair brought up their 50 partnership from 75 deliveries. One run later Heldreich was pinned in front by off spinner Nat Bowley. Northamptonshire 348 all out from 100.2 overs, at 12.28pm. Wicket takers: Sakande 4-73, Walker 3-79, Evans (HA) 2-74, Bowley 1-36.

Leicestershire batted for eight overs before lunch, which were safely negotiated, Hassan Azad and Sam Evans taking County into lunch on 17 without loss. Azad and Evans then flourished in the afternoon session, remaining steadfastly together until tea. They brought up their 50 partnership from 89 balls. Evans went to his 50 (10x4) from 75 balls, when he drilled left arm seamer Warren, to the boundary, through mid wicket, the score on 84 without loss from 21.5.

Evans, in line with the culinary moniker of one of the Northants bowler’s names, peppering Rice, another left arm seamer, through the covers on four occasions to the ropes.

Azad and Evans posted a 100 partnership from 152 deliveries. Azad then went to his 50 (6x4) from 85 balls when he clipped left arm spinner Kerrigan behind square for a single. The score on 112 without loss from 30.4 overs.

Azad runs very busily between the wickets, legs going like bees wings. I reckon if you had a competition to find out who puts in the most steps when running between the wickets, Hass would win hands down. Also, I reckon Hass would be a ‘shoe in’ for a TEN doing the Quick Step on Strictly, if he was allowed to wear a pair of pads whilst on the dance floor!

Azad and Evans posted a 150 partnership, (42.3 overs) in the over before tea. Leicestershire went into tea on 150 without loss, Azad 72*, Evans 76*. When people hear A&E they think of Accident & Emergency, but today those initials related to Azad & Evans!

In the second over after tea, Evans (76) from 149 balls was caught behind by keeper Harry Gouldstone off seamer George Gowler. County 150 for 1 from 45.1 overs. Evans when settled in at the crease reminds me of a much valued customer at my local pub, once he is in it is extremely difficult to get him out. I am sure my very good friend Dale Page can personally relate to that analogy.

George Rhodes (9) from 26 balls was bowled by Kerrigan. Leicestershire on 171 for 2 from 52.2 overs.

Lewis Hill joined Azad, but three overs later Azad (91) from 147 balls feathered one down the leg side, and was caught behind, by Gouldstone off paceman James Sales. Sales demonstrating that January is not the only month when Sales figures are good! A splendid knock by ‘The Duke’ (of Azad, or should that be Hazzard?) who just missed out on back-to-back hundreds, after having notched up 106 for Leicestershire 2nd XI against Scotland A at Kibworth last week.

Louis Kimber joined Hill, and Kimber was in bullish mood. The lithesome Loughburian, whose visit to the crease included taking a brace of boundaries in consecutive overs, off consecutive balls, at the expense of Kerrigan and Sales. The ‘Lautrec’ partnership (Two Lew’s, or Toulouse, as in Lautrec, Hill and Kimber, well one does need a bit of licence with the spelling of their Christian Names) added 45 for the fourth wicket.

Hill mainly contributing with 1’s and 2’s, whilst Kimber was finding the rope more regularly than someone infatuated by skipping. Kimber (30) from 46 balls was bowled by Kerrigan with the score on 227 for 4 from 66.3. Kimber playing down one line, but the ball unfortunately keeping very low, and going down another line, the Metropolitan Line. Don't mention Going Underground by The Jam to Big Louis. Only joking, Mick, Groundsman supreme, and his team of helpers do a great job here at Desborough, and have prepared a good track.

The Umpires conferred about the light on three separate occasions during the post tea session, at 4.48pm, 5.16pm and 5.56pm precisely. At 6.06pm the Umpires took the players from the field because of bad light, with nine overs remaining. At 6.30pm play was abandoned for the day, Leicestershire on 248 for 4 from 72 overs. Hill 27 not out, Sam Bates 8 not out.

Of the seven bowlers used today by Northamptonshire, four were left arm, one of which was Freddie Heldreich, a purveyor of the very rarely seen ‘Chinamen’, not much gets past me!

Northamptonshire 4 points, Leicestershire 4 points.

By Pete Johnson