Swindells Stars But Strong Yorkshire Side Win Double Header
Wed 17 May 2023
Leicestershire were on the road again on Wednesday, this time visiting Headingley for a double header SET20 against Yorkshire. Yorkshire victorious in both games, winning game one by 12 runs, and game two by six wickets.
Arron Lilley captained Leicestershire in both matches. His opposite number, Shan Masood winning the toss in both games. My Scoring colleague, and I, in addition to the Scoreboard Operator, were stationed on the top floor of the very impressive structure that houses the Pavilion, at the Kirkstall Lane End of the ground. It is an understatement that we were high up, as I was able to get Trolley Service from passing aircraft going in, and out, of nearby Leeds/Bradford Airport.
Game 1.
Trialists, Evasio MacMillan, and Chris Sanders, both seam bowlers, making their debut for Leicestershire 2nd XI. Yorkshire were bowled out for 202 after 19.1 of their allotted 20 overs. Adam Lyth and Masood posted a 50 partnership from 24 balls at the top of the innings. They added 61 for the first wicket, the highest partnership of the innings.
Leading run scorers for the Tykes were: Masood (43) 30b, Lyth (41) 15b, Johnnie Tattersall (34) 16b, and Will Luxton (24) 16b. There was a very short boundary to the Western Terrace side of the ground, and the ball was deposited towards the back row of the vast expansion of seats on a number of occasions.
It surprised me how quickly Lilley and Sam Evans were able to find the ball amongst the multitude of empty seats. Cricket’s equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack! Mike Finan the leading wicket taker for the Foxes with 3-37 from 4 overs. Debutant Sanders picked up 2-45 from 4 overs, and young leg spinner Uttam Ramji 2-15 from 2 overs. Scott Steel and Roman Walker picking up a wicket apiece. Also, there was one run out following a smart piece of work between Ramji, and Swindells.
Leicestershire lost two early wickets in their reply, but Harry Swindells and Zak Malik put the Foxes in a challenging position with a partnership of 98 (60b) for the 3rd wicket. The pair brought up a 50 partnership from 36b, the score on 93-2 from 10.3 overs. Swindells went to his 50 (7x4/2x6) 28b, when the score reached 102-2 from 10.5 overs.
The partnership was broken when Swindells (70) 39b holed out to Ben Mike from a delivery by George Hill. Malik (46) 39b followed a couple of overs later bowled by Hill. County on 153-4 from 16.3 overs. 50 runs required for victory from 3.3 overs.
Steel provided a cameo with (29*) 16b, but County were unable to chase down the target. Sam Evans came to the crease with 3 balls remaining, and smashed 2 of them, sent down by Mike, for maximums. Leicestershire 190-6 from 20 overs. Yorkshire winning by 12 runs. Mike the leading wicket taker for Yorkshire with 3-46 from his allotted 4 overs.
Game 2.
Rishan Herath replaced Harry Swindells behind the stumps, Swindells being deployed in the field, MacMillan was left out of the XI that started game two. Yorkshire omitted Lyth, Hill, and Dom Leech, replacing them with Jordan Thompson, Ben Cliff, and James Wharton.
Leicestershire were dismissed for 86 from 15.2 overs. Only 3 batters reaching double figures. Evans (28) 35b, Sanders (16*) 10b, and Walker (11) 12b. Highest partnership being 24 between Evans and Walker for the 6th wicket. Sanders (16*) 10b and Ramji (5) 6b only two short of it, after adding 22 for the last wicket.
Leading wicket takers for Yorkshire, Mike 3-12 from 3 overs and Jafer Chohan 3-14 from 3.2 overs. Yorkshire knocked off the runs required in just nine overs for the loss of four wickets. Wharton (31) 20b, Mike (25*) 11b, the leading run scorers. Roman Walker taking 3-21 from three overs. Mike Finan 1-39 from four overs the other wicket taker. Yorkshire winning by six wickets.
