Shreck shines for Foxes
Tue 12 Apr 2016
Charlie Shreck was the pick of the Leicestershire attack as the university game against Loughborough MCCU continued to be an even contest.
The second day was a truncated affair and Leicestershire took their overnight score of 220-6 to 254-9 declared.
County took four wickets for the addition of 16 runs at one stage of the reply as Shreck (14-1-32-3) shone but the in-form Basil Akram (50 not out) guided Loughborough MCCU to 195-6 at stumps.
Overnight and morning rain meant an early lunch was taken and play was able to commence at 1.15pm at the Haselgrave Ground on Loughborough’s campus.
It was an all-action opening to proceedings as Loughborough dismissed top scorer Aadil Ali (62), the young batsman edging Sam Grant to Charlie Lowen at third slip.
Bobby Gamble went on to claim two wickets in the same over as attempted pull shots found the hands of the fielders. Ben Raine (8) was held by Michael Burgess at mid-on before Wayne White (23) was caught by Tom Nugent at square leg.
Captain Mark Cosgrove opted to declare shortly afterwards, leaving Zak Chappell (5 not out) and Shreck (1 not out) as the unbeaten batsmen.
The first wicket of the season for Leicestershire was taken by Raine (12-3-31-2), who trapped Charlie Lowen (15) in front with the score on 22.
A gritty stand between Hasan Azad and Nitish Kumar then developed either side of tea, which was taken with Loughborough MCCU at 58-1 after 23 overs.
The duo put on 75 before Shreck made two welcome breakthroughs in the space of three deliveries. Azad (31) was lbw at the start of the 32nd over before Charlie Thurston nicked the seamer behind to Niall O’Brien.
Kumar recorded a fluent 66-ball half-century in the next over with his eighth four and the batsman also struck a maximum along the way.
There was another quickfire double burst, this time in two consecutive deliveries, as Shreck bowled Burgess (4) before Raine pinned Kumar (59) in front of the stumps.
Former Hampshire player Akram has two first-class centuries to his name this season and he again frustrated county opposition in posting an unbeaten half-century.
Akram, who has also played for Leicestershire Second XI in the past, struck eight boundaries in the 61-ball landmark and his partnership of 82 with Robbie White got Loughborough MCCU back on track.
However Cosgrove picked up a key wicket just before stumps in having White (32) caught at the wicket by O’Brien. The match is due to resume at 11am tomorrow morning with the students trailing by 59 with four wickets in hand.
