Steel Smashes Century on Day Two

By Pete Johnson

Prior to the start of play I had a moment of silent reflection in memory of Dave Goodacre, whose funeral was commencing back in Leicester at 10.30am this morning. I am sure everyone has fond memories of Dave, as a result of his sterling service over many many years operating the manual scoreboard at Uptonsteel County Ground. If St Peter wants any help counting them in at the Pearly Gates, he has got the ideal assistant in Dave. RIP Dave.

It proved a day for the batsman at Nottingham today. Leicestershire declaring their first innings on 511-7. Scott Steel, star of the show, making a blistering 167 not out, well supported by Tom Scriven 78, and Roman Walker 38 not out. In reply Nottinghamshire closed on 192-3, trailing by 319 runs.

It was another dull, and chilly overcast morning when play commenced, Leicestershire resuming from their overnight 294-4, with Scriven 62* and Steel 37*. The official attendance just dribbling into double figures at the start of day two.

In the sixth over of the morning, Steel went to his 50 (6x4/1x6) 63b, when he clipped spinner Calvin Harrison to the boundary, just in front of square. The 100 partnership between Scriven and Steel was also achieved from the same delivery. The SAS (Scriven & Steel) posting their century partnership from 135 deliveries. 

Four overs later, Scriven (78) 138b went caught at short mid wicket by Ben Martindale off seamer James Hayes. Leicestershire 346-5 from 105.4 overs. A further 16 overs had passed when Steel went to his century (13x4/2x6) 112b, driving Zak Chappell through the covers to the ropes. A half-century partnership between Steel and Arron Lilley from 70 balls came from the same delivery. 

Also, at this juncture I counted 11 bus loads of Nottm Forest supporters passing down the nearby road en route to their crucial game at Bournemouth tonight. Steel was in belligerent mood taking Chappell for five boundaries in the space of 11 balls faced from the ex-Fox. Lilley (19) 41b went caught at first slip by Matt Carter from a ball that he spooned up into the air off the bowling of Harrison. 

Nat Bowley (5) 13b went soon afterwards lbw offering no stroke to a ball from Matt Carter. Leicestershire 407-7 from 122.4 overs. Roman Walker joined Steel, and the pair safely took County into Lunch on 426-7 from 131 overs. Steel 112*, Walker 8*.

After lunch, Steel and Walker went into overdrive, smashing 85 runs from nine overs, including 52 runs from the final three overs of the innings. Steel and Walker brought up their 50 partnership from 82 balls when the score reached 457-7 from 136.2 overs. Steel went to his 150 (17x4/4x6) 170b when he lofted seamer Hayes over mid-wicket for a maximum. 

The’ beard to be feared’ bristling with confidence, the Nottinghamshire attack not within a whisker, or a close shave of dismissing him. Steel and Walker brought up their 100 partnership (102b) when Walker, The Welsh Wizard, come Wrexham Wrecker, despatched Harrison for successive maximums, the second of which brought the three figure landmark for the dynamic duo. 

Five maximums, four boundaries, and six singles had been taken from the last three overs, sheer carnage from the two flamboyant Foxes. Nottinghamshire skipper Montgomery being unable to marshal his troops in the field against such an onslaught. 

At the end of the 140th over Leicestershire declared their innings on 511-7. Steel (167*) 176b, Walker (38*) 49b, their partnership being 104 at exactly a run a ball. The Walker/Steel partnership has a tenuous connection to an EFL Ground, answers on a postcard please.........

Nottinghamshire commenced their innings at 2.22pm with 50 overs remaining in the day. Matthew Montgomery and Soloman Budinger opening the innings. A 50 partnership between the pair was realised after 9.1 overs. Budinger went to his 50 (7x4/2x6) 42b when the score reached 97-0 from 15.6 overs. 

In the penultimate over before tea, Budinger 952) 43b went caught at mid on by Gavin Griffiths off Rehan Ahmed. ‘Bud’ none the wiser following his dismissal! Nottinghamshire went into tea on 99-1 from 18 overs. Montgomery 37* Dane Schadendorf 0*. 

42 runs had been added after tea when Montgomery (45) 111b went caught at deep square leg by Ahmed off Walker. Walker returning an impressive second spell of 5-4-1-1. Schadendorf went to his 50 (10x4) 94b when the score reached 178-2 from 46.1 overs. 

Three overs remained in the day when Steel was introduced to the attack. With the 5th delivery of his first over Steel had Calvin Harrison (15) 38b caught ‘round the corner’ by Abidine Sakande. It was the icing on the cake for Steel who had had a tremendous ‘day at the office’. 

Nottinghamshire 182-3 from 47.5 overs. Schadendorf (57) 101b and Zak Chappell (9) 11b safely saw Nottinghamshire to Stumps on 192-3 from 50 overs. Nottinghamshire 319 runs behind going into Day three. Nottinghamshire 1 point, Leicestershire 5 points.

A full scorecard can be viewed HERE