Seconds End T20 Campaign With Lancashire Wins
Fri 9 Jun 2023
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire travelled up to Lancashire for the final fixtures of their SET20 campaign for 2023. The fixture was a ‘Double Header’ (2 matches), and was played at Westhoughton CC, which is near to both Bolton, and Wigan.
Leicestershire had an excellent day in the North West winning both matches comfortably, by five wickets, and 41 runs respectively.
Game 1:
Harry Swindells captained the Foxes, won the toss, and chose to bowl. Lancashire were restricted to 145-7 from their allotted 20 overs. Arav Shetty (44*) 40b, provided the most resistance for the Red Rose County, sharing a partnership of 45 for the 5th wicket with Kesh Fonseka (25) 21b. Shetty also shared a partnership of 47 for the 7th wicket with Jack Carney (24) 16b. Carney being dismissed from the final ball of the innings.
Matt Salisbury was the pick of the County bowlers returning figures of 4-29 from his 4 overs. Also worthy of mention in despatches, Sol Budinger, who took a ‘blinder’ of a one handed catch resulting in George Lavelle’s (29) 21b exit, off the bowling of Will Davis. Tom Scriven and Harry Sullivan also picking up a wicket each.
Leicestershire lost a couple of early wickets Harry Swindells ((8) 8b, and Sol Budinger (12) 9b, but were soon in a strong position to chase down the total. Sam Evans (36) 27b sharing a partnership of 40 for the 3rd wicket with Scriven (21) 13b. Scriven notching up two maximums.
Evans was then a partner to Zen Malik in a partnership of 30 for the 4th wicket. Evans departing with the score on 96-4 from 10.5 overs. 50 required for victory from 9.1 overs. Evans was like lightning running between the wickets. If ever there were a power cut at a Dog Racing track, and the hare could not function, Sam Evans would be an excellent stand in. The regulation six greyhounds would be hard pressed to catch him!
Malik and Sam Wood (16) 20b all but saw Leicestershire home, Wood, the lanky left-hander, dismissed with just 10 runs required for victory from 2.1 overs. It was fitting that Malik (33*) 32b struck the winning run. Back-to-back solid innings by Malik in the middle order, following his crucial innings against Nottinghamshire last week. Davis (6*) 4b. Leicestershire 146-5 from 18.4 overs, winning by five wickets.
A very large attendance was present by 2nd XI standards, a seasoned Westhoughtian said to me that he estimated in excess of 100 spectators were in the ground. 30 or so of them positioned on the ‘Westhoughton Hill’, all secreted in a colourful array of folding chairs, whilst soaking up the warm sunshine.
In complete contrast to the scorers who were positioned in the scorebox, which resembled a wind tunnel! It was lovely to walk across the ground between matches, and get warmed up by the sun. During the break between matches it was good to have a chat with ex Fox Carl Crowe, now part of the Lancashire Coaching staff, and also Christina Carr, Lancashire Senior S&C Coach, who was attached to Leicestershire 2nd XI as an intern some years ago.
Game 2:
Sol Budinger captained Leicestershire, won the toss, and chose to bat. Harvey Jupp replaced Harry Sullivan for the Foxes, and Will Vause replaced George Lavelle for Lancashire. Leicestershire posted 169-9 from their 20 overs.
Sam Evans (45) 38b (6x4) again leading from the front ably supported by Will Davis (45) 17b, the pair racking up the highest partnership of the day 55 runs, for the 6th wicket, which came from just 22 balls. Davis particularly brutal towards the Lancashire attack. Their 50 partnership coming from 22 balls. Davis (5x4/2x6). Tom Scriven (22) 14b, and Sam Wood (21) 17b also kept the score ticking over.
The final over of the Leicestershire innings was rather eventful with four wickets falling from the six deliveries sent down by Tom Aspinwall. County commenced the final over on 166-5, and finished it on 169-9. All batters sacrificing themselves in a run chase, three wickets to the bowler, and one run out. Aspinwall finishing with 4-28 from his four overs.
Lancashire’s reply got off to a reasonable start, they advanced to 49-1 from 6 overs. Ed Barnes picking up the wicket. Spin twins Harvey Jupp, and Uttan Ramji were then introduced into the attack. Jupp (left arm) and Ramji (right arm) both bowled their four overs straight off, only conceding 46 runs between them.
At the end of the 14th over Lancashire on 95-5. Jupp 1-22, Ramji 2-24. An excellent effort from the two young spinners, Lancashire with it all to do, requiring a further 75 runs from six overs. Lancashire could only muster a further 33 runs in the final six overs, losing four wickets in the process. Davis and Scriven picking up two wickets apiece. Lancashire closing on 128-9, losing by 41 runs.
A very accomplished days work in the North West by the Foxes.
