Seconds Seal Final Day Victory over Notts
Fri 8 Jul 2022
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire recorded a victory against Nottinghamshire in the SEC game at Uppingham School. County needed nine wickets on the day to achieve victory, Nottinghamshire requiring 327 runs.
Leicestershire were well on the way to victory by the luncheon interval, having Nottinghamshire seven down. However, Nottinghamshire held out until mid afternoon, clinging on when only one outcome looked possible, sounds very similar to what was going on at Westminster today! Leicestershire securing victory in mid afternoon, winning by 86 runs.
Chris Wright was withdrawn from the game overnight, replaced by left-arm spinner Freddie Fallows. Ed Barnes taking over as captain from Wright.
Nottinghamshire resumed on their overnight 128-1, Matthew Montgomery 54*, Qundell Haider 0*. County had an excellent morning session picking up six wickets.
In the 7th over of the morning night watchman Haider (5) 40b went caught behind by ‘keeper Sam Bates off Barnes. Nottinghamshire 142-2 from 32.4 overs. Joey Evison joined Montgomery, but three overs later, Montgomery (62) 102b, was on his way caught behind by Bates off Will Davis, leaving Nottinghamshire on 146-3 from 35.3 overs.
Dane Schadendorf joined Evison. The pair were only together for 3.2 overs. Schadendorf (4) 14b bowled by Roman Walker. Calvin Harrison joined Evison, and they put on 25 runs together. Harrison (8) 13b was bowled by an absolute ‘snorter’ from Bowley, shouldering arms to a ball that spun back into him. Nottinghamshire on 180-5 from 43.4 overs.
Just three overs later, Evison (22) 41b was caught in two minds (not literally!) by Bowley, and spooned one up into the air, ‘keeper Bates scampering forward, legs going like bees wings, to take the catch around the silly mid off area. Nottinghamshire 191-6 from 47.1 overs.
In the next over, Travis Holland (3) 6b was brilliantly caught one handed in the slips area by Rishi Patel off the bowling of Gavin Griffiths, an absolutely blistering catch by Patel. Nottinghamshire 198-7 from 48.3 overs. Incidentally, you never see Gavin, and Gareth Gates in the same room.
Just before Holland was dismissed it was announced that Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had resigned. Griffiths the last Leicestershire bowler to take a wicket during Boris’ tenure. I reflected at the time that Boris’ resignation was the third event of world importance that had happened whilst I was on Leicestershire ‘business’.
The first one was Elvis Presley passing away on 16 August 1977, I was on a coach from Grace Road at the time, en route to a Gillette Cup Semi Final v Glamorgan at St Helen’s Ground, Swansea. It came over the radio that Elvis had died. No t’internet in those days. Got to Swansea, rained all day, no play!
Also, when Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away on 9 April 2021, I was assisting to score a 1st XI Championship match v Hampshire at Grace Road, as away scorers were not allowed to travel at the time due to Covid rules in place.
I digress, back to the cricket. The time was now 12.43pm, and I was wondering if Lunch may be delayed should Nottinghamshire be nine wickets down come 1.00pm! No need to worry, Sam King 35*, and Fateh Singh 12* took Nottinghamshire into lunch on 230-7 from 53 overs, still needing a further 225 runs to win.
After lunch, Leicestershire persisted with an all spin attack of Bowley and Fallows, to ensure they were not subject to an over rate penalty. King and Singh posted a 50 partnership from 47 balls, when the score reached 248-7.
Just over five overs later, King went to his 50 (7x4/1x6) at exactly a run a ball. After 72 overs, my computer ‘crashed’ for some unknown reason, apologies to anyone following live scores on NV Play at the time.
Not being at the cutting edge of IT, I chose the trusted, and time-honoured method of sorting it, switch it off, and then switch it on again, problem sorted back online again!
King and Singh had added 87 for the 8th wicket, when Singh (43) 41b, lofted Bowley to deep backward square leg, Harry Swindells positioned in that area, catch never in doubt, The Swindler, a rare occasion that he is let loose in the outfield, gleefully holding on to it. Nottinghamshire now on 285-8 from 63.1 overs, still needing a further 170 runs for victory.
Yours truly is now multi-tasking by answering questions from the catering staff as to what time the game will finish, so that they can lay the tea out. However, one should always help the catering staff in any way one can, as it often guarantees receiving industrial sized portions, and a snack to take home with one, for being so helpful. I know which side my bread is buttered!
Harry Phillips joined King. Phillips (13) 30b occupied the crease for 9.5 overs, finally being run out by a sharp piece of work by Hassan Azad, who gathered the ball, and fired it in to ‘keeper Bates. Phillips short of his ground, with King trying to take a single off the last ball of the over so as to remain on strike. Nottinghamshire 319-9 still requiring a further 136 to win, with the last pair at the crease, and King 75*.
Jack Peirce was Number 11 for Nottinghamshire and stayed around long enough for King to complete his maiden SEC century (11x4/2x6) 106b for Nottinghamshire. A fine effort by the 19-year-old right-hander.
King and Peirce had put on 49 from 58 balls when King hoisted Fallows to deep long on, Patel was situated in the immediate vicinity, one of the safest pairs of hands around, job done, catch duly snaffled by Patel with minimum of fuss. King (120) 130b. Nottinghamshire 368 all out from 82.4 overs. Peirce (5*) 18b. Leicestershire winning by 86 runs.
Nat Bowley being the leading wicket taker for Leicestershire with three wickets from 31 overs. Wicketkeeper Bates also being involved in five dismissals (three catches, and administering the last rites on two run outs). Leicestershire 22 points, Nottinghamshire 3 points. The game finishing at 3.18pm.
I would just like to put on record sincere thanks from all at Leicestershire CCC to Charlie Welch, Assistant Registrar at Uppingham School, who was in attendance ‘early doors’ every morning, and made sure every off-field facility ran smoothly for us throughout the four days.
Also, very many thanks to the excellent catering staff, Chloe, Sally and Patrick, extremely polite and helpful at all times, and responsible for the superb food that was excellently presented, and rather delightful to eat.
Finally last, and by no means least, today was Video Analyst Max Carter’s final day with LCCC, surely the tallest VA around! Max has obtained a position elsewhere after serving as Video Analyst for the 2’s this season, in an intern capacity, and has now secured a permanent position elsewhere. All the very best for the future Max, I shall miss your name popping up on my computer screen at the end of every over!
A completed scorecard can be found HERE.
