SEC v Nottinghamshire CCC 2nd XI Day One Report

Leicestershire 2nd XI entertained Nottinghamshire 2nd XI, at Kibworth CC, for the final match of their 2021 SEC campaign.

Coming into the game Leicestershire’s record in the competition is: Played 6, Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 1. A win against Nottinghamshire would give Leicestershire an outside chance of finishing top of the 2021 SEC.

This season the SEC League Table is based on average points per game, as some sides have had games cancelled due to COVID-19 related reasons. Hampshire, at present, are top with an average of 20.14 points per game, with two games left to play. Leicestershire average 17.66 points per game, with one game left to play.

Leicestershire come into this match on the back of an outstanding two wicket victory last week against Worcestershire at Stourport CC in a SEF 4-Day Friendly. Leicestershire getting home by two wickets, with 3.1 overs remaining, after being set 399 to win in a minimum of 96 overs.

George Rhodes racking up 107, Nat Bowley 55*, Max Law 53, and Harry Funnell 38*. In Worcestershire’s First Innings, ‘Pip’ Jackson of the LCCC Academy notched up his first 5-fer for the 2nd XI, returning figures of 5-51 from 13.2 overs. A fine all round team performance from our 2nd XI.

Nottinghamshire had the better of day one, dismissing Leicestershire for 161, Sam Wood top scoring with 43, well supported by Nat Bowley with 37. At close of play Nottinghamshire 152-1, trailing by 9 runs, with 9 second innings wickets in hand.

On a warm late summer morning Matthew Montgomery won the toss for Nottinghamshire, and inserted Leicestershire. Gavin Griffiths skippered County.

After just 13.2 overs of the morning’s play, Leicestershire were very much on the ropes at 35-5. Sam Bates (6), Matthew Law (0), Vivak Kelley (10), Scott Steel (1), and Ajay Khunti (13), all back in the pavilion. Sam Wood and Nat Bowley then began a major salvage operation. Wood, just a few days short of his 17th birthday, a member of the Leicestershire Academy, playing his second game for the 2’s, after making his debut against Worcestershire last week.

Wood and Bowley safely guided Leicestershire into Lunch on 76-5 from 29 overs. The pair both left handers, and both well over 6 feet tall. Wood and Bowley brought up their 50 partnership (108 balls) in the third over after lunch, when Wood drove spinner Calvin Harrison through long off for a boundary, the score now on 88-5 from 31.2 overs.

Initially Bowley played the dominant role in the partnership, Wood dropping anchor, and showing maturity, and patience at the crease, beyond his years. After lunch Wood continued to ‘feast’ taking Harrison for 12 runs in the over that brought up the 50 alliance with Bowley.

The lanky left handers, Wood and Bowley had added an impressive 90 for the 6th wicket when Wood (43) 88b was caught at third slip by Harrison off ex-Fox Zak Chappell. Leicestershire on 125-6 from 36.5 overs. A good contribution from Wood, ‘Fireman Sam’ to the rescue!

With no further addition to the score, Bowley (37) 79b was caught at the wicket by Dane Schadendorf off seamer Toby Pettman. Another good contribution from Nat ‘the truss’ Bowley, giving good support!

The innings soon folded with Gavin Griffiths (1), Roman walker (12), and Abi Sakande (4), all being dismissed within a further 9 overs. Alex Evans 12 not out. Leicestershire 161 all out from 48.3 overs. Seamer Toby Pettman picking up 5-49 from 14 overs. A jug would beckon for Toby were this Club Cricket.

Nottinghamshire had 13 overs to bat before Tea, and safely went into the refreshment break on 43-0. Matthew Montgomery 11 not out, Ben Compton 27 not out. Compton is the grandson of the late great Middlesex and England batsman of the 1950’s, and early 1960’s, DCS Compton. I am sure there is someone, reading this as old as me, who can remember Dennis Compton advertising Brylcreem back in the day, and also playing for Arsenal!

Montgomery and Compton brought up their 50 partnership after 13.5 overs. The Nottinghamshire score had progressed to 73 when Compton (43) 77b was caught at short leg by Walker off Bowley. Joey Evison joined Montgomery, and the pair took Nottinghamshire through to stumps.

They brought up their 50 partnership when the score reached 111-1 from 35.6 overs. At this time an unfortunate hiatus occurred for yours truly, the Internet crashed! Not being at the cutting edge of cyber technology I was extremely thankful that ‘technology Guru’ Dan Nice was in the immediate area to sort things out for me. Dan assisted magnificently, and once again reinforced that all heroes do not wear capes. Sorting a problem out with t’internet is like shelling peas to Dan.

Nottinghamshire closed on 152-1, Montgomery 49 not out, Evison 48 not out, trailing Leicestershire by 9 runs. Leicestershire 0 points, Nottinghamshire 2 points.

By Pete Johnson