Taylor top scores for Seconds
Wed 4 May 2016
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire faced Worcestershire in a Second XI Championship encounter at The Wilson Ground, part of the Oakham School complex. Upon arrival at the ground I had to move furniture from the offices to the pavilion balcony, to set up the Scorers' ‘lair’ for the three days.
I was ably assisted in this task by Neil Johnson, the former Leicestershire (1997) and Zimbabwe test cricketer who is now one of the Oakham Coaching Staff. It is comforting that I am such a spritely soul for one of such advancing years. If I were in full time employment, I could have wallowed in two weeks off work with backache on the strength of my exertions.
We have a delightful view from the balcony of a typical ‘chocolate box’ setting for a cricket ground, Oakham Veterinary Hospital nestling unobtrusively at wide long-off at the opposite end to the pavilion.
Bright sunshine was in evidence when the players did their warm ups, and the weather looked set fair for the day. James Sykes skippering the side called correctly for County and elected to bat.
Harry Dearden and Ned Eckersley opened the innings, and both looked very comfortable against the Worcestershire opening attack. The openers had added 75 for the first wicket after 18 overs and County looked to be establishing an initial hold on the game.
Russell, who had been operating at the Veterinary Hospital End (VHE) was switched to the Pavilion End. He proved to be a little terrier, and probably felt less threatened operating away from the VHE.
With the score on 75, he bowled Dearden (32) after another solid innings from the Lancastrian, who had looked in good nick. Aadil Ali (11) soon followed, his first scoring shot being a trademark maximum over mid-wicket. Tom Wells (0) was trapped in front and County had been reduced to 90-3.
Meanwhile Ned Eckersley was playing an eye-catching opener’s role, accumulating runs all around the wicket. Ned, being a Spurs fan, rose to the bowling and ‘kaned’ five boundaries. County went into lunch on 98-3 with Eckersley 40* and Taylor 5*.
In the 4th over after lunch Eckersley was another lbw victim, not adding to his 40. It was a good innings taking up 100 deliveries. Rob Taylor was joined by Adam Tillcock, and the pair added 78 for the 5th wicket.
Taylor went to his half-century from 87 balls (7x4/1x6) with Tillcock providing valuable support. Tillcock (30) went caught a long-off by King off spinner Twohig. The batsmen crossed, and from the next ball Taylor (61) was run out by keeper Milton off Twohig.
Taylor appeared to hit the ball onto his foot, the ball diverting back to the keeper who removed the bails with Taylor out of his ground. The umpires confirmed the mode of dismissal was run out. Rob Sayer (0) was then pouched at first slip by Rhodes off Morris, reducing County to 190-7.
There then followed a breezy partnership between James Sykes and Chad Barrett of 42. Barrett (14) went caught at deep mid-wicket off Rhodes. Sykes was playing some lovely attacking shots and raced to 43 from 40 balls (9x4), help his side collect a third bonus point.
Liam Hurt (4) was last man out and County finished on 251-9. Sykes 43*. Lewis Hill is joining the side from day two and will bat in the second innings.
Tea was taken, and Worcestershire had 35 overs to bat in the remainder of the day. Rhodes and Westbury opened the innings, and took the score to 104-0 at the close. Rhodes was not out on 56* and Westbury 36* with Rhodes’ 50 coming up from 103 balls (5x4).
Wells had three very loud and concerted lbw appeals turned down. Westbury, when on 29, offered a chance to Taylor at square leg off Sayer. Taylor appeared unsure as to whether the ball had carried, he indicated so to the umpires who conferred, and gave Westbury not out. A very honest genture from Taylor. Play ended for the day at 7.18pm.
A lovely setting is The Wilson Field, Oakham for this game, and we are extremely grateful to Oakham School for accommodating us at such short notice.
