SEC v Nottinghamshire CCC 2nd XI Day Two Report

A very hot late summer morning greeted us when we arrived at Kibworth CC for Day 2 of the SEC between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. It was looking like El Scorchio would be the order of the day weather wise.

At the end of day two, Nottinghamshire had control of the game, making 408 in their first innings, a lead of 247 runs. Gavin Griffiths and Abi Sakande both returning four wicket hauls. Leicestershire closed day two on 122-6, trailing by 125 runs. Joey Evison picking up five of the Leicestershire 2nd innings wickets.

Nottinghamshire resumed on their overnight 152-1 from 45 overs, trailing Leicestershire by 9 runs. Matthew Montgomery 49 not out, Joey Evison 48 not out.

Montgomery went to his 50 (8x4) 130b from the first ball of the morning. In the second over of the morning Evison also reached his 50 (9x4/1x6) 75b. Leicestershire then struck back picking up three wickets inside three overs. Evison (51) went caught at first slip by Scott Steel off Griffiths. Montgomery (59) was caught at the wicket by Sam Bates, again off Griffiths, and Sol Budinger (5) was caught by Bates, leaping up in a ‘Schmeichelesque’ manner, taking the ball high in the air after an edge off Sakande.

Nottinghamshire now 170-4 from 51.2 overs. Dane Schadendorf and Calvin Harrison then provided solid resistance against the Leicestershire attack, posting a 50 partnership from 123 balls, when the score reached 220-4 from 71.5 overs.

Notts went into lunch on 233-4 from 74 overs. Soon after lunch, Schadendorf went to his 50 (8x4) 87b, the score now on 265-4 from 78 overs. Sakande bowled the penultimate over before the new ball was available, picking up a wicket when he bowled Harrison (45).

Schadendorf and Harrison having added 99 runs for the fifth wicket. Matt Carter, batting at number seven, came to the middle, and peppered the boundary with a number of fours and sixes. His initial partner, Schadendorf (63) was trapped in front by Griffiths. A good response from Griffiths who had been struck for boundaries, from three consecutive balls, in his previous over by Carter.

Zak Chappell (4) had a brief stay at the crease before being trapped in front, again by Griffiths. Carter went to his 50 (6x4/4x6) when he posted a huge maximum over long on off Alex Evans. Carter having somewhat of a blitz on the new ball.

Carter and Sam King brought up their 50 partnership at exactly a run a ball, the score on 377-7 from 96.5 overs. Carter (68) 47b eventually met his demise when he was caught at the wicket by Bates off Roman Walker. Notts 379-8 from 97.5 overs.

Nottinghamshire’s innings came to a close some six overs later after Ben Martindale (4) was bowled by Sakande, Toby Pettman (3) also dismissed in the same manner by Sakande. Sam King 40 not out. Nottinghamshire all out 408 from 106.3 overs, a lead on first innings of 247 runs. Griffiths picking up 4-55 from 19 overss, and Sakande 4-78 from 25.3 overs. Tea was taken between innings.

34 overs remained in the day, but Leicestershire after a somewhat promising start found themselves in deep trouble as a result of a fine spell from Joey Evison.

Ajay Khunti and Viv Kelley opened the innings, posting a partnership of 41 before Khunti (22) was bowled by Toby Pettman. Kelley (22) then went caught in the slip cordon by Harrison off Evison. It was six and out for Sam Bates, he clubbed the first ball he received from Evison for a maximum over square leg, but was trapped lbw next ball.

In the same over Scott Steel (0) was caught at first slip. Leicestershire 78-4 from 18.4.

Max Law who had come in at number three was looking in good nick, but he became another victim for Evison, caught in the slip cordon. Law (19). Nat Bowley (3) became Evison's fifth victim when he was bowled. Leicestershire on 91-6 from 26.3 overs.

Sam Wood (10*) 37b and Roman Walker (19*) 32b safely saw out the final eight overs of the day, taking County into stumps on 122-6 from 34 overs. Nottinghamshire leading by 125 runs. A fine spell of bowling by Evison, returning figures of 5-15 from eight overs. Leicestershire 3 points, Nottinghamshire 8 points.

By Pete Johnson