Seconds claim battling draw
Wed 20 Apr 2016
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
A lovely Spring morning greeted us upon arrival for day 3 of the match. The flags at the Lynn Wilson End of the ground were drooping limply alongside their respective flag poles, the weather being in total contrast to that experienced on day 1 of the match. Although sunny it was certainly not ‘shirt sleeve’ weather.
No doubt during the morning session I shall have one eye on proceedings at Cardiff, in the hope that we can be well on the way to getting the job done.
Northamptonshire resumed on their overnight score of 437-5, a lead of 153 runs, with David Murphy 121* and Will Rogers 31*. Northants advanced their score to 499-9, and declared their innings after 133.4 overs. They lost 4 further wickets during the 10.4 overs spent at the crease, 3 being claimed by James Sykes, and 1 by Atif Sheikh.
First to go was David Murphy for 144, he was a victim for Sykes, caught by Rob Taylor, who was very swift in running back from mid off to pouch a skier. Harry Hovey (5) was lbw to Sykes. And Panesar (0) was bowled first ball by Sheikh, Monty quite aptly receiving a full delivery.
County were very committed, keen, and supportive of one another even though Northants were in the process of compiling a mammoth total. This was demonstrated when Sykes, on two occasions stopped in delivery stride to remind non striker Will Rogers that he was out of his ground backing up. Sykes had Rogers (50, 4x4/116b) stumped by Lewis Hill.
Leicestershire faced a deficit of 215 runs, and had 65 minutes to negotiate before lunch. Lewis Hill and Will Wright opened the innings, but the score had only reached 12 when Hill (10) was caught behind by Hovey off Shaz Ali.
Tom Wells and Will Wright safely took County into lunch on 37-1 from 17 overs. After lunch Wright and Wells batted sensibly to ensure that the game was saved. Wright (44) went with the score on 93, caught behind by Hovey off Mitch Spencer, ensuring he made his mark on the innings.
Wright was making his second appearance for the County 2s, and equalled his previous highest score made against Glamorgan 2s last season in only his second match. Wells was joined by Rob Taylor, and the pair all but made the game safe. The pair had added 51 when Taylor was caught at slip by Murphy of Graeme White, the score now at 144-3.
Wells was joined by Adam Tillcock, and went to his second 50 of the match (5x4/132b). Shortly afterwards Wells (52) was caught by Ali, again off White. Tillcock was joined by Sykes, and the pair ensured no further wickets fell with a watchful and responsible alliance.
When the captains shook hands at 5.00pm, Tillcock was undefeated on 13 from 68 balls, and Sykes undefeated on 5 from 30 balls. The score being 178-4 from 69 overs. After a long hard day in the field yesterday the County players really showed their mettle in a solid second innings batting performance, to see the game out. Northamptonshire 13 points, Leicestershire 10 points.
Just one to leave you with, if Northamptonshire’s Graeme White (GG White) became a publican, what would be the name of his pub? The White Horse. Quite surprised myself with that one.
