Seconds Evenly Poised After Opening Day of SEC Return

By Pete Johnson

After a few weeks with not having a game, Leicestershire 2s were back in action for a SEC match against Derbyshire at Loughborough Town CC.

Leicestershire reduced Derbyshire to 71-5 during the morning session. Derbyshire came back strongly after lunch thanks to two lower-middle order partnerships of over 50. Youseff Bin Naeem making an undefeated 91 before bad light brought an early closure to the day’s play with Derbyshire on 252-7.

Ed Barnes captained Leicestershire, won the toss, and asked Derbyshire to bat. Harry Came and Mitchell Wagstaff opened the innings for Derbyshire with Ed Barnes, and Roman Walker opening the bowling for the Foxes.

Wagstaff (6) 19b was bowled by Barnes from the last ball of the 6^th over. Only five runs had been added when Archie Harrison (3) 8b was caught down the leg side by ‘keeper Harry Swindells off the bowling of Sam Wood. Wood having replaced Walker at the Shelthorpe End. Derbyshire 15-2.

Wood enjoyed further success when Came (10) 48b clipped a delivery onto his stumps. Derbyshire 28-3 from 14.1 overs. Matthew Lamb and Derbyshire skipper Anuj Dal had added 43 for the 4^th wicket when Lamb (28) 43b was caught low down at short extra cover by Wood off the bowling of Callum Parkinson. Derbyshire 71-4 from 22.3 overs.

Without any addition to the total Dal (16) 20b was caught in the gully by Walker off Academy Member Liam Tew. Derbyshire safely saw out a further eight overs and went into lunch on 82-5. Bin Naeem 3*, Will Tarrant 8*.

It was noticed, that by 2^nd XI standards, there was an extremely good attendance at the game. In addition to a good number of locals in attendance, a number of spectators had made the journey over from Leicester.

Bin Naeem and Tarrant were ‘digging in’, and posted a 50 partnership when the score reached 122-5 after 45.4 overs. They had added 67 for the 6^th wicket when Tarrant (27) 89b was run out, going for a sharp single, thanks to a smart piece of fielding in the mid wicket area by Joe Johnson, who arrowed the ball into Swindells who removed the bails. Tarrant in a bit of a TISWAS (how many can remember Chris Tarrant hosting that programme on a Saturday morning?).

Bin Naeem went to his 50 (6x4) 96b when the score reached 151-6 after 56.1 overs. Derbyshire went into tea on 186-6 after 66 overs. Bin Naeem 67* Will Mead 17*.

In the first over after tea, Bin Naeem and Mead posted their 50 partnership (95b). 88 had been added for the 7^th wicket when Mead (43) 86b was bowled by Scott Steel. Derbyshire 226-7. Only a further 6 overs were possible in the day when bad light brought an end to the day’s proceedings at 5.14pm. Derbyshire 252-7. Bin Naeem 91* Mark Watt 12*.