Walker and Steel Tons Propel Seconds Into Strong Position
Wed 15 Jun 2022
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire dominated the day’s play racking up an imposing 614-7 declared, with centuries from Roman Walker and Scott Steel to add to the century made by Vikai Kelley on day one. At close of play on day two, Worcestershire on 107-3, trailing Leicestershire by 507 runs. Ed Barnes picking up two of the wickets to fall.
Leicestershire were forced into making one change to their team overnight. Nick Welch having joined up with the 1st XI at USCG Grace Road as a concussion replacement for Louis Kimber. Scott Steel was drafted into the side as Welch’s replacement. Worcestershire were also forced into making one change to their team. Reeve Evitts picked up an injury on day one and was replaced by Gohar Nisar.
Leicestershire resumed on their overnight 338-4. Nat Bowley 22*, Ed Barnes 5*. Leicestershire had added 7 runs to their total when Bowley (22) 83b went lbw to Worcestershire seamer Pat Brown. Roman Walker joined Barnes. The pair posted a 50 partnership from 82 balls, when Barnes deposited left arm spinner Jacques Banton straight down the ground for a maximum.
A further 10 runs had been added when Barnes (46) 87b was run out at the strikers end when going for a quick single. No doubt Barnsey will be hoping that the Leeds United strikers are a bit quicker over 22 yards come 6 August! Leicestershire 405-6 from 120.6 overs.
Scott Steel joined Walker, and the pair took County into lunch on 420-6 from 126 overs, Walker (31*) 75b, Steel (5*) 14b. Walker and Steel stayed together for the entire afternoon session, Leicestershire posting a rather challenging total for The Pears, Leicestershire hoping to put themselves in a position to bowl Worcestershire out twice to win the game.
Walker and Steel brought up their 50 partnership from 86 balls, the score on 457-6 from 135.2 overs. A century partnership was realised between the pair from 145 balls, the score on 507-6 from 144.5 overs. Steel went to his 50 (5x4/2x6) 71b when he struck spinner Ishmail Mohammed over extra cover for a maximum.
7.1 overs later Walker, on 99 went to his 100 (11x4/1x6) 171b when he drilled Mohammed through extra cover for a boundary, the field having been brought up in an effort to prevent a single. Loud applause from the Leicestershire players and staff greeted Walker’s maiden 2nd XI century. Walker is the first Roman to make a century for Leicestershire. Claudio Ranieri will be a happy man tonight, as will all descendants of the late Julius Caesar.
Walker’s century also coincided with a 150 partnership with Steel, from 201 balls. Leicestershire on 558-6 from 154.1 overs. With 5.5 overs available until tea, the question was would Steel be able to reach his 100, as a declaration would almost certainly be made at the interval.
Steel on 62* at the time. The Beard to be Feared rose to the challenge, facing 24 of the remaining 35 deliveries available, thanks to tactical support from his partner The Welsh Wizard. When the penultimate over before tea arrived, Steel required a further 24 runs to achieve three figures. The Bearded Wonder multi tasking, having to ‘number crunch’, in addition to addressing the bowling. Steel took 13 runs from it and was on strike for the last over before tea needing 11 runs for his century.
Steel hit left-arm spinner Banton over long on for a maximum off the fourth delivery (having taken two off the first ball, and four off the third ball) to go to his 100 (8x4/4x6) 111b. A repetition of the loud applause from Leicestershire players and staff that greeted Walker’s century was given a second airing. The delivery before Steel’s maximum had brought up the 200 partnership with Walker from 233 balls.
Cricket record books worldwide will have to be re written as this is the first ever 200 run plus partnership between a Roman and a Scot(t)! Steel (103) 113b was caught at long on by Mitchell Stanley off Banton from the last ball before tea. Leicestershire declaring on 614-7 Walker (118*) 182b. A partnership of 209 for the 7th wicket.
I did a check on the records to see if it was the highest 7th wicket partnership in the SEC. It is not however, as that stands at 423 between DW Varey & H Pilling for Lancashire v Derbyshire at Blackpool in 1989.
Worcestershire had 32 overs to bat in what remained in the day. Ishmail Mohammed and Tom Fell opened the innings. Ed Barnes striking twice to remove both openers. Mohammed (10) 31b was bowled by Barnes on 8.6 overs.
After 12.1 overs Fell was trapped in front by Barnes. Worcestershire on 45-2. Jordan Neil and Jacques Banton offered brief resistance until slow left arm Freddie Fallows was introduced into the attack. With his second delivery Fallows pinned Banton (20) 38b in front. Worcestershire 83-3 from 24.2 overs.
Neil 26* and Joe Leach 14* saw Worcestershire in to stumps on 107-3 from 32 overs, Worcestershire trailing by 507 runs. Academy Member Buzz Kemp bowled a tidy 5 over spell of seam bowling towards the end of the days play. Worcestershire 1 point, Leicestershire 4 points.
