Seconds Enjoy Perfect Opening Day Against Notts
Mon 3 Jul 2023
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire were back on home soil for a SEC fixture against Nottinghamshire at Kibworth. The Foxes are currently in third place in the 2nd XI Championship, 27 points behind leaders Lancashire, but with two games in hand.
Leicestershire had what can only be described as a ‘stellar’ day. After amassing 507-8 declared, thanks to a century from Louis Kimber, ably supported by Harry Swindells, Nick Welch, and Roman Walker, who all made half centuries. At stumps Nottinghamshire had been reduced to 7-4, with Will Davis picking up three of the wickets to fall.
Sam Evans captained Leicestershire, his opposite number Tom Loten called correctly, and decided to bowl. Jake Tarling, a member of LCCC Academy was making his debut for Leicestershire 2nd XI.
Nick Welch and Sam Evans opened the innings for County, and posted a half century partnership after 9.5 overs. Welch was getting the vast majority of his runs in boundaries. After 14.5 overs, Welch went to his 50 (9x4/2x6) 48b, when he deposited pace bowler Bailey Wightman over long off for a maximum.
Welch and Evans brought up their 100 partnership after 18.3 overs, when Welch struck Wightman for another maximum, this time over extra cover. Welch 79 (14x4/3x6) 66b went caught behind by keeper Dane Schadendorf off Loten. County 123-1 from 19.5 overs. Sam Evans and Louis Kimber saw County into Lunch on 142-1 from 25.3 overs.
Players came off for lunch some three minutes early as rain was falling. Evans (37*) 74b, Kimber (6*) 10b. After lunch, Evans had not added to his score when he was caught behind by Schadendorf off seamer Toby Pettman. Evans playing a solid innings again. If he were landlord of a pub, it would no doubt be called The Anchor! Leicestershire 154-2 from 27.4 overs.
Louis Kimber and Harry Swindells then put together a partnership of 189 for the third wicket. Swindells went to his 50 (11x4) 59b when he clipped Wightman through the covers for a boundary. County 236-2 from 41.6 overs. In the next over, Kimber went to his 50 (9x4/1x6) 51b.
Three overs later, the 100 partnership came up between Kimber and Swindells from 105 balls. Another milestone was reached when the pair posted a 150 partnership (163b), the score on 307-2 from 54.5 overs.
Kimber went to his 100 (15x4/2x6) 92b, when he drilled seamer James Hayes through mid wicket for a boundary. Leicestershire 325-2 from 57.2 overs. Kimber (114) 103b was finally dismissed when he was bowled by Hayes. A fine effort from the ‘Lean Mean Run Machine’ which helped tremendously in putting his side in the box seat. County 343-3 from 59.6 overs.
With no further addition to the score Swindells (93) 116b (14x4) was another victim for keeper Schadendorf off the bowling of Pettman. The Pocket Rocket falling just seven runs short of a much-deserved century.
Jake Tarling (7*) 13b and Scott Steel took County into Tea on 354-4 from 64 overs. Soon after Tea Steel (10) 15b was run out, by a direct hit, when aiming to complete a second run. Tarling was then involved in a 50 partnership (86b) with Roman Walker, Leicestershire on 415-5 from 79.3 overs.
With the final delivery of the 80th over Tarling (37) 67b was bowled by Loten. An impressive debut innings by the left-handed Tarling. County 415-6 from 79.6 overs. Sam Wood (0) 3b was bowled by Hayes.
Nottinghamshire took the new ball immediately it was available. Will Davis joined Walker, and Davis gave a turbo charged innings of (39) 17b (6x4, plus and all run 4/1x6). Davis eventually holing out to Ben Martindale on the long on boundary off Hayes. County 463-8 from 84.2 overs.
Walker then began a personal assault on the recently taken new ball going to his 50 (3x4/4x6) 52b, when he fiercely struck a delivery from Hayes through extra cover to the ropes. Walker rattling up 30 runs from the last 10 deliveries he received. Leicestershire declared their innings on 507-8 after 87 overs. Walker (62*) 55b, Uttan Ramji (8*) 4b.
Nottinghamshire had seven overs to face in the remainder of the day, in which they were reduced to 7-4. Ben Martindale (0) 5b was bowled shouldering arms to Davis in the first over of the innings. In Davis’ second over he had Schadendorf (0) 2b caught at first slip by Steel.
Matt Salisbury operating at the Pavilion End got in on the act when he bowled Loten (0) 14b. Davis then picked up his third wicket with the final ball of the day when he had Hayes (2) 17b caught at extra cover by Wood. Nottinghamshire closing on 7-4 trailing Leicestershire by 501 runs. Davis in inspired form with the ball finishing the day with figures of 4-3-2-3.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
