Seconds lose despite Agathangelou heroics
Fri 31 Jul 2015
By Pete Johnson
Andrea Agathangelou made 88 against his former county but Lancashire completed a Championship victory against Leicestershire at Ashby Hastings CC.
A glorious midsummer’s day greeted us on our arrival for day three of this SEC encounter at Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Rosemary and Chris were not in position at the start of the days play, having submitted their apologies for absence the previous evening. They had taken the day off to watch events unfold in the RLODC game at Grace Road.
The digital dexterity, and lap top/internet skills of your ‘eagle eyed scribe’ were to be tested to the hilt today, keeping up with events in the Test Match, and Grace Road, plus of course other ether banter that required his undivided attention. The maestro of multitasking.
Before play commenced one of the umpires gave the scorers four large bags of sweets as a thank you! Top bloke, and very much appreciated. I will not say which one, to save the other one any embarrassment he may be caused by not giving us anything. Anyone would think the scorers have to mark the umpires...
After spending three days in the salubrious accommodation of Ashby Hastings CC scorebox, I have come up with a plan for a bit of extra curriculum usage to bring in further funds to Ashby Hastings CC. It could be used in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! As part of a Bushtucker Trial, contestants could be challenged with spending eight hours a day, for three days in it!! I must run that one past Ant & Dec.
Atif Sheikh was not with us today, The Sheikhster having been called into the squad for the game at Grace Road, so after discussion, and agreement between the Coaches, Alex Thomson would be allowed to bat in view of the circumstances.
The boundary was extremely sparsely populated with spectators today as the players took the field. Marilyn and Mel were however firmly entrenched, soaking up the rays. Even the Umpires had discarded their coats for the day, and were in shirt sleeve order.
Leicestershire resumed on their overnight 42-3, the not out batsmen being Agathangelou 20*, and nightwatchman George Corbett 0*. Leicestershire needing a further 358 to win from a minimum of 96 overs, a rate of 3.72 per over.
Corbett’s (1) stint as nightwatchman was ended, as he was trapped lbw by Toby Lester in the third over of the morning. The ‘day shift’ arrived in the form of Lewis Hill. Hill (10) was dismissed shortly afterwards, caught behind by Ashley Gowers off George Edwards.
Trialist Ben Bryant joined Agathangelou, and the pair gave stout resistance to the Lancashire attack. Agathangelou went to his 50 (5x4) from 111 balls with the score on 109-5, and was looking in good solid form.
Bryant was providing solid support, and the pair took County into lunch on 135-5 from 51 overs. Agathangelou 67*, Bryant 24*. Unfortunately County were only able to add a further 38 runs after lunch before being bowled out.
Bryant (29) went in the 5th over after lunch, caught in the gully by Kerrigan off Lamb. 3 balls later, in the same over, Thomson (0) was caught at 1st slip by Liam Livingstone again off Lamb. If the middle order thought they had the sauce to give Lamb a roasting, they were soon thinking otherwise.
Harry Swindells joined Agathangelou, and an amusing incident took place in front of the pavilion where the players sit. Ollie Freckingham was padded up to go in next, and there were two elderly gentlemen, who spoke very loudly sitting near the players.
One chap said (thinking Swindells was Freckingham), ‘that Freckingham ain’t a bad player you know, he has played in the first team’. Freckingham’s head spun round, and he looked towards them with an element of surprise (sounds better than shock horror), wondering with baited breath what was coming next.
Ever the diplomat, the bashful, retiring gentleman that is Oliver H Freckingham remained tight lipped with ambassadorial detente. I was some 20 yards from the two gents, and could hear every word. Swindells (8), soaked up 26 balls, going caught at 1st slip by Livingstone off Kerrigan. I am sure, with a name like that, a career in later life must await Harry, possibly as a second hand car salesman.
Agathangelou’s knock eventually came to an end when on 88 (9x4) from 192 balls, he edged seamer Haughton behind to Gowers. Agathangelou appeared very annoyed with himself, after having made a massive contribution to the total, scoring over half the runs.
Liam Hurt (0) went lbw to Kerrigan, County being all out for 173 from 66.4 overs. Freckingham undefeated on 4, Lancashire winning by 226 runs. Lancashire 21 points, Leicestershire 4 points.
You may find it interesting to look at the attached Scorecard, and see who the TCS Computer Package has given man of the match to. I bet he won’t be very bashful or retiring when he reads that! What can’t speak can’t lie!!
We could not leave Ashby-de-la-Zouch without offering sincere thanks for all the hard work put in by Club Members of Ashby Hastings CC in hosting this match. Your efforts are very much appreciated. Thanks also to Mary and Nicky for doing a superb job on the catering side of things.
