Seconds | Hosts In Control After Opening Day In Kent
Tue 20 Jun 2023
By Pete Johnson
After a month or so of being involved in SET20 matches, Leicestershire resumed their SEC campaign with a game against Kent at Polo Farm Sports Ground, Canterbury.
Kent had the upper hand on day one, dismissing Leicestershire for 200, Roman Walker (38) being the top scorer. In reply Kent were 107-2 at the close, trailing by 93 runs. Scott Steel taking both wickets to fall.
Sam Evans captained the Foxes, his opposite number Marcus O’Riordon won the toss, and elected to bowl. Leicestershire posted 93-4 in the morning session from 27 overs. Sol Budinger (21) 25b caught behind by Harry Finch off pace bowler Arafat Bhuiyan. Zen Malik (11) 29b bowled by seamer Jas Singh. Evans (14) 45b bowled by seamer Matt Quinn, and Scott Steel (4) 9b caught at second slip by O’Riordan off seamer bowler Ekansh Singh. Tristan Kennedy 21* and Jake Carstens 9* at lunch.
In the 6th over after lunch, Kennedy and Carstens brought up their 50 partnership, 82b, the score on 103-4 from 32.2 overs. The partnership had an ‘American presidential’ feel to it at one stage with (Barney) Ford bowling to (John) Kennedy! Not to mention newsreaders, (Sarah) Kennedy and (Anna) Ford, but I won’t go there!
Three overs later the partnership was broken when Carstens (16) 52b was caught by keeper Finch off pace bowler Arafat. Only a further four runs had been added to the score when Kennedy (33) 63b was caught at second slip by O’Riordan off seamer Matt Quinn.
Vikai Kelley and Roman Walker then added a further 50 partnership (84b), the score having progressed to 163-6 (50.5 overs). Kelley (29) 55b departed bowled by spinner Hamidullah Qadri a couple of overs later. Walker (38) 55b holed out to long on off Qadri, and Sam Wood (10) 27b went in a similar fashion, but to deep mid off from a delivery by left-arm spinner Jadon Denly.
The innings ended when Chris Sanders (8) 17b was bowled by Qadri. Leicestershire 200 all out from 65 overs. Uttam Ramji (2*) 15b. Tea was then taken, with 31 overs remaining in the day. Five wickets in the Leicestershire innings falling from the last ball of an over, three from the City End, and two from the Tennis Courts End. Amazing the trivia you notice when you are engaged on sedentary duties! Leading wicket taker for Kent, Qadri with 3-47 from 16 overs.
O’Riordan and Ben Compton opened the innings for Kent and brought up a 50 partnership after 10.4 overs. O’Riordan went to his 50 (7x4) 57b, the score on 74-0 from 17.4 overs.
With five overs remaining in the day, Scott Steel was introduced into the attack. With his first delivery, O’Riordan (61) 79b was caught behind by Kelley. Kent 92-1 from 26.1 overs. In Steel’s next over, he had Compton (27) 83b brilliantly caught one handed by Walker in the second slip area. Walker like a coiled spring to pouch the catch. A member of the Compton cricketing dynasty on the CV of S Steel Esq.
Harry Finch had fluttered to the crease and saw Kent safely into stumps on 107-2. Finch (7*) 15b and Ekansh Singh (4*) 9b. Steel 2-3 from three overs.
It is my first visit to Polo Farm Sports Ground. Up until today I have always associated Polo with either a mint with a hole in the middle, a game played on horseback, with an oversized mallet in your hand, a type of leisure shirt, or a game played in a swimming pool with a large ball (Water Polo).
All of those aforementioned references in addition to the renowned Italian Explorer Marco Polo! Going forward I will now have to chuck a Sports Ground, in deepest Kent, into the mix as well! Polo Farm has a sign at the entrance saying ‘Centre for Sporting Excellence’, and it certainly is with Hockey Pitches, Tennis Courts in addition to the cricket field housed in its excellent and welcoming complex.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
