Steady Opening Day For Seconds At Lady Bay
Wed 10 May 2023
By Pete Johnson
Nottinghamshire hosted Leicestershire in the fourth round of SEC games, the match taking place at Notts Sports Ground, Lady Bay, Nottingham. Leicestershire in second place in the SEC table having won two and drawn one match so far.
In a rain interrupted day, Leicestershire posted a total of 206, in reply Nottinghamshire being 0-1 at stumps.
Sam Evans captained the Foxes, won the toss, and elected to bat. Max Luckett, and Jude Roberts, both trialists, were making their debut for Leicestershire 2nd XI. Heavy overnight rain had fallen, but a prompt start was made at 11.00am.
Nick Welch and Sam Evans opened the innings for Leicestershire, and added a 50 partnership after 12.3 overs. Two overs later, Welch (36) 46b was trapped in front by left-arm seamer Raheem Ahmed. Included in Welch’s innings was a monstrous maximum that required groundstaff to get a ladder to retrieve the ball from the roof of the Pavilion, which took some six minutes.
Ahmed accompanied in the Nottinghamshire side by his brother, Farhan. The two brother’s part of the Ahmed Dynasty, the trio of brothers made up by Rehan of Leicestershire, and England.
County lost two further wickets before Lunch, Zen Malik (2), 7b, and Evans (33) 61b. Leicestershire into lunch on 100-3. (25 overs). Harry Swindells 9*, Arron Lilley 9*.
During the interval, I was able to seek solace from the genial Nottinghamshire dressing room attendant, Edwin, a keen Derby County supporter. We were able to discuss the unfortunate results for both of our football teams yesterday.
In the 8th over after lunch, Lilley ‘swatted’ seamer James Hayes for a huge maximum that cleared the pavilion. The weather was now beginning to close in with dark clouds over the nearby Nottingham Forest Football Ground. On a personal note, I hope they return at circa 6.25pm on Sunday 28 May!
Lilley (32) 36b was caught at mid off by Toby Pettman off Hayes. A brief ‘Purple Patch’ for Hayes, with apologies to Jimi Hendrix. Leicestershire on 133-4 from 32.4 overs. Swindells (19) 62b was compiling a very patient innings when he was pinned in front by Pettman.
Scott Steel (16) 25b going in the same manner four overs later. Rain was now falling lightly, with the umpires regularly having a look skywards. Rishan Herath (5) 23b went caught at second slip by Calvin Harrison off Hayes. County 163-7 from 43.2 overs.
At 3.15pm the umpires took the players from the field as the rain became heavier. Leicestershire 166-7 from 45 overs. Roman Walker 2* Sam Wood 2*. An early tea was taken. No further play was possible for some time.
Finally, the rain abated, and the umpires carried out a pitch inspection at 5.15pm, and ruled that play would recommence at 5.45pm, with 25 overs remaining in the day. Walker and Wood had occupied the crease for a further 12.4 overs, when Wood (5) 46b was caught low down at mid on by Tom Loten off the bowling of Pettman. Leicestershire 189-8 from 57.4 overs.
Only one further run had been added when Walker (18) 54b went lbw to Pettman. Leicestershire’s innings concluded when Mike Finan (11) 12b was another lbw victim, this time to left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White. Max Luckett (5*) 18b. Leicestershire 206 all out from 62.2 overs. Toby Pettman leading wicket taker for Nottinghamshire with figures of: 18-3-50-4. In club cricket, Toby would have been required to buy a Jug had he taken a 5 fer.....
Nottinghamshire had three overs to negotiate before close of play, and County had success with the second ball of the final over of the day when Ben Martindale (0) 8b edged a ball from the pacey Finan to keeper Swindells. Nottinghamshire closing on 0-1. James Hayes (0*) 6b. Play for the day finishing at 7.13pm.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
