Swindells Closes In On Century As Seconds Fight Back At Sussex
Wed 18 Jun 2025
By Pete Johnson
Sheridon Gumbs and Harry Swindells put on an unbroken 175-run partnership as Leicestershire fought back strongly on day two of their SEC clash against Sussex at Horsham CC.
Swindells took stumps unbeaten on 99, while Gumbs was 80 not out, as the Foxes began their reply to Sussex’s imposing total of 550/3 declared.
The hosts resumed from their overnight 436/1, Charlie Tear 246*, Daniel Ibrahim 164*. A single was taken from the first ball of the morning, and with it the SEC record of 402 runs was broken for the highest partnership for the 2nd wicket.
Tear then went to his 250 (31x4/3x6) in the fourth over of the morning. Tear and Ibrahim had added 446 for the 2nd wicket when Ibrahim (183) 289b was caught at deep mid-wicket by Jay Madan off the bowling of Roman Walker. Sussex 480/2 from 107 overs.
Home skipper Oliver Carter joined Tear. Tear subsequently progressed to his 300 (37x4/3x6), the total on 527/2. The duo put on a 50 partnership when the score reached 531/2, which also coincided with the luncheon interval.
In the 3rd over after Lunch, Carter (22) 68b was brilliantly caught by Swindells off the bowling of Sam Wood. Carter hit a delivery high into the air, Swindells sprinting from his position at mid-wicket, and taking a diving catch in the mid on area, the trajectory of the ball coming from behind the scampering Swindells. Sussex 537/3.
A further three overs elapsed when Sussex declared their innings on 550/3. Tear (317*) 403b, Henry Rogers (2*)11b. Credit to the Leicestershire attack for soldiering on in hot, and sticky conditions. Wicket takers: Chris Wright 1-58, Roman Walker 1-74, and Sam Wood 1-88. Ali Farooq did not pick up a wicket but bowled a very impressive 34 overs.
Also, credit to the 2 wicket keepers used by Leicestershire, Swindells, and Lewis Hill, no byes conceded at all. An absolutely tremendous innings by 21-year-old Tear, making the third highest score in the history of the SEC. His score only being beaten by Marcus Trescothick (322) made in 1997, and Finlay Bean (441) in 2022.
A minimum of 57 overs remained in the day when Leicestershire commenced their reply at 2.15pm. Gumbs and Jay Madan opened the innings for the Foxes. Madan (4) 26b was bowled by seamer Oli Moore in the 8th over, leaving County on 20/1.
Swindells joined Gumbs, and the pair stayed together until the close. A 50 partnership was brought up after 22.2 overs, the score on 73/1. In the 4th over after Tea, Swindells went to his 50 (7x4) 71b, the score on 84/1.
The pair were dominating the bowling, offering no chances whatsoever. Gumbs went to his 50 (7x4) 127b when he caressed a delivery from spinner Bertie Foreman through the covers to the boundary.
After 42.1 overs Gumbs and Swindells posted their 100 partnership. 10 overs later Gumbs took a maximum over mid-wicket off spinner Troy Henry to bring up the 150 partnership. County on 173/1 from 51.2 overs.
It was on the cards that Swindells would get his century before the day’s end, but “ on 99*, he played out a maiden from Lenham in the final over of play. Leicestershire closed on 195-1, from 57 overs, Gumbs (80*) 171b, Swindells (99*) 147b.
A tremendous fight back by Leicestershire who go into day three trailing Sussex by 355 runs. In the two days’ play so far, 745 runs have been scored for the loss of just four wickets.
