Walker Stars With Bat and Ball on Second Day

Roman Walker impressed with both bat and ball, as Leicestershire enjoyed another fruitful day against Glamorgan at Uptonsteel County Ground.

The Welshman, playing against his former county, hit 64, before taking the early wicket of visiting skipper David Lloyd, before Sam Northeast and Colin Ingram led a late fightback with a partnership worth 102.

The day started in inauspicious fashion. Harry Swindells, facing his first ball of the morning, was caught behind by Chris Cooke, thanks to a sharply ascending delivery from Michael Hogan.

Wiaan Mulder reached his 150 in the following over. A quick two taking the all-rounder to another big individual total, backing up his unbeaten 235 at Sussex last week.

Ben Mike entered the fray with the exhibition of belligerence that those who have watched him for a while have come to expect.

With early morning conditions offering more to the bowlers, he hit Hogan for 14 off an over to help qualm nerves, having earlier hit the runs that ensured the Running Foxes registered maximum batting bonus points.

But Mulder’s long vigil was to end with the following delivery. A beauty from Michael Neser beating his defences and disturbing the bails to send the South African back to the Pavilion on 156.

That wicket proved the catalyst for a fruitful partnership between Mike and first-class debutant Walker. The former continuing to go through the gears, reaching his half-century in an unorthodox manner, an all-run four, which simultaneously brought up the 50 alliance.

The two had put on 79 before lunch was called, with Mike 70 not out and Walker on an assured 28. Leicestershire 499 for seven.

Post-resumption, Mike looked destined for an elusive maiden career ton. But, as at Lord’s, where he was left stranded on an agonising 99 not out, his innings was to culminate in the nineties.

Selflessly, the all-rounder was caught on 91 while continuing his attempt to accelerate the rate. Neser pouching the chance at long on to end a partnership worth 115.

Glamorgan skipper Lloyd then took a sharp reflex chance at slip to dismiss counterpart Callum Parkinson for two, leaving Leicestershire 539 for nine.

The Running Foxes were down to their final stand, but it wasn’t evident. Walker and Chris Wright played with the composure and technique requisite of opening batsmen.

Poetically, on his County Championship debut and against his former county, Walker went to his maiden half-century. Driving, cutting, pulling and defending with equal aplomb, it was an impressive innings by the 21-year-old.

At the other end, Wright was beginning to look like Jos Buttler in rampant one-day mode. The number 11 swept, reverse swept and paddle swept to the ropes, including a conventional sweep that went all the way for six off Andrew Salter.

But the fun was to end at the end of that over, as Walker cut to Billy Root at backward point for a well-made 64. Wright left unbeaten on 26. Leicestershire 584 all out, five shy of setting a new club record total against the Welsh County.

With ball in hand, Wright thought he’d fired with the very first ball of the Glamorgan innings. Lloyd edging, Louis Kimber taking an incredible catch diving to his right at third slip, but the umpire’s outstretched arm indicated a no-ball to quell the celebrations in their infancy.

But three overs later, Kimber pulled off an even more remarkable grab to dismiss the same batsman. The catch giving Walker his maiden first-class wicket to go with his half-century.

Five for one soon became nine for two, as Wright atoned for his earlier no ball, having Ed Byrom caught by Rishi Patel at first slip for a single.

But either side of the tea break, Ingram (46*) and Northeast (50*) led a respectable fightback for the visitors, reaching 111 for two before bad light curtailed play 12 overs earlier than planned.

Joey Evison impressed in his five overs, conceding just eight runs and regularly challenging the outside edge on his Leicestershire first-class debut.