Seconds through to Trophy semi
Thu 11 Aug 2016
Leicestershire Second XI booked their place in the Trophy semi-finals following an abandonment at Lancashire today.
Only 10.5 overs of play were possible on the day and the point collected by both teams was enough to send both through.
The teams finished level on points in the top two but Lancashire won the group by virtue of winning a game more than Leicestershire.
Today’s game saw Lancashire win the toss and bat and Leicestershire made inroads among the various showers.
Overnight rain delayed the start until 12.30, reducing the match to 46 overs per side, and fell heavily enough to force the players from the field once again after 20 minutes.
Batting was tricky during this time. One bouncer from Ollie Freckingham flew so high above batsman George Munsey's head, it was in danger of creating a hazard to air traffic descending towards Manchester Airport.
But three balls later, he could only fend another sharp lifter low to Harry Dearden at second slip, departing for 4.
The rain set in for some time, costing a further 12 overs per side, bringing forward a splendid lunch at the picturesque Bowdon CC ground, which is surrounded by immaculately manicured hedges and impressively luxurious residences on adjacent slopes.
A sense of history and tradition prevails in the pavilion interior, enhanced by simple, but beautifully presented wooden memorial panels, to fallen club members from each World War.
When play resumed at 2.40, Karl Brown was swiftly pinned lbw on the back foot for 1 by Dieter Klein. Luis Reece played a couple of sweetly timed cut strokes to the boundary, and looked the most comfortable of the batsmen, before a further attempt suddenly found the hands of Aadil Ali at backward point, from Matthew Stokes' 5th delivery.
With the score at 42-3 in 10.5 overs, Reece trooped off, 24 to his name, to be shadowed by the new batsman, who made it only halfway to the crease. The rain had returned, this time terminally.
The Second XI Trophy semi-final is scheduled for Friday, August 19 with Leicestershire facing a trip to Southern group winners Somerset. A venue will be confirmed in due course.
