Unicorns Trophy match abandoned
Fri 10 Jun 2016
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire returned to the Park Road ground of Loughborough Town CC, for back to back Second XI Trophy games, this time the opposition was Unicorns.
The game was abandoned as a draw after Unicorns had racked up 263-0 wicket from a curtailed innings of 46 overs, County being 7-1 off 2.1 overs when the elements put paid to the day’s play. Leicestershire 1 point, Unicorns 1 point.
After mentioning in my report yesterday that a spectator, who had travelled up from Woking, informed me that he was visiting his 405th cricket ground, I met a gentleman who was into the 800s of different cricket grounds visited.
Whilst busily preparing for the days play (honest), a couple of chaps asked me for a team sheet. One of them, who told me he was from Lichfield, said he had been reading my report from the previous day’s play (comforting to know that somebody does!).
Over the May Bank Holiday he told me he had seen a Club game in the Manchester area on the Saturday, Hornchurch in Essex on the Sunday, and a game in the West Midlands on the Monday. I was somewhat at a loss for words, I could not even tell him he should get out more. Seriously if you are reading this sir, top effort.
Ned Eckersley was again skippering County, and his opposite number Chris Whittock called correctly for Unicorns, and they elected to bat. The Unicorns side included four players who have represented Leicestershire Second XI on a number of occasions over previous seasons: Whittock, Charlie, Lowen, James Dawborn, and Matt McKiernan.
The players took to the field in humid and muggy conditions. Tom Wood and Sam Arthurton opened up for Unicorns. They proceeded to bat impeccably as County were unable to force a breakthrough for the duration of the innings.
Arthurton posted his 50 (8x4/63 balls) with the score on 98-0 from 19.5 overs. Just afterwards, with the score on 102-0, Arthurton had to retire hurt. Standing at the non striker’s end he took a powerful drive from Wood straight on the forearm off the bowling of Sam Grant.
After on-field treatment from the Unicorns Physio he left the field. Whittock joined Wood, and the pair were inseparable. Wood posted his 50 (4x4/78 balls) with the score on 130-0 from 27.4 overs. The players were forced from the field by rain at 12.52pm with the score on 153-0 from 32 overs, Wood 53* and Whittock 35*. An early lunch was taken in an effort to keep the playing time lost to a minimum.
A little bit of inside information about the culinary delights that have been on offer to us this week. For the first three days of the week we were at Hinckley, where jacket potatoes were the meal every day. Generously drizzled with curry, and or chilli, baked beans etc.
Yesterday at Loughborough: jacket potatoes, today jacket potatoes. This has enabled me to decide what I want from my daughter and son for a present for the upcoming Fathers’ Day. I have decided on the Phil Collins album, No Jacket Required.
The Umpires took the players back onto the field at 2.30pm with the Unicorns innings having been reduced to 46 overs. That made 14 overs left to bowl, and Unicorns added a further 110 to their total, finishing on 263-0 from 46 overs.
In that time Whittock went to his 50 (6x4/60 balls) with the score on 195-0 from 35.1 overs, and Wood recorded his century (10x4/1x6/125 balls) with the score on 246-0 from 44.2 overs. Rob Sayer was the pick of the County bowlers, bowling 9 overs for just 27 runs.
County opened up with Angus Robson and Michael Burgess, who had a window of opportunity for a game between his University commitments. Cricket can be a cruel game, and after his epic innings of 122 yesterday, Robson (0) went second ball, caught at slip by Wood off Matt Spencer. Spencer making his mark on the game of course.
At 3.53pm the umpires took the players off for bad light with storm clouds threatening, and thunder in the distance. On two occasions the umpires walked to the middle to recommence play, but rain started just as they were about to place the bails. Printers were churning out Duckworth-Lewis sheets as if there was no tomorrow. After a very heavy downpour the match was abandoned at 5.13pm.
A word of appreciation to the stoic band of spectators who hung around until late afternoon in the hope of some play. These people are the bricks and mortar of county cricket up and down the land. There was a test match going on at Lords that they could have easily watched on TV, but they chose to come to a Second XI game to watch some live action.
Finally we could not leave Loughborough Town CC without a few well deserved thank yous. Sincere thanks to Paul Hughes the groundsman and Tom, his Australian helper. (A WBA tracksuit top Tom, get it sorted please!). Also thanks to Finn, who came over from the Fischer County Ground to help the groundstaff over the last two days.
Thanks to Barbara, Alison and Christopher for their hard work on the catering side (loved those jacket spuds!), and to Pete on the bar. I would personally have kept you on your toes Pete, had I not been otherwise occupied. Right, time to get stuck into the Euro’s. Come on England!!
