Welch and Swindells Begin T20 Season In Style But Durham Edge Double Header

By Pete Johnson 

Leicestershire began their SET20 campaign with a double header (two matches in a day) against Durham at the Seat Unique, Riverside. Durham winning both games by five wickets and six wickets respectively.

Arron Lilley skippered Leicestershire in both matches, winning the toss, and choosing to bat on both occasions.

GAME 1.

Leicestershire posted 172-7 from their allotted 20 overs. Nick Welch making 79 (10x4/4x6) 48b. His 50 (8x4/2x6) 29b. Welch shared a 50 partnership (29b) with Lilley, during his stay at the crease. Scott Steel chipped in with 25 at a-run-a-ball. Oli Gibson the leading Durham wicket taker with 3-38 from his four overs.

In reply, Durham lost a wicket from the first ball of their innings when Ross Whitfield was trapped in front by Mike Finan. It was a false dawn for the Foxes however, as Ben McKinney and John Bushnell added 75 for the second wicket, their 50 partnership coming up from 35 balls.

McKinney going to his 50 (3x4/2x6) 26b. Liam Trevaskis, 54*, saw Durham home, his 50 (3x4/2x6) 31b. Durham 173-5 from 19 overs. Five of the Leicestershire bowlers picking up wickets, Finan, Scott Steel, Roman Walker, Lilley and Hishaam Khan.

Game 2.

Leicestershire were bowled out for 143 in 19.4 overs. Harry Swindells 76 (7x4/3x6) 57b contributing over half of the total. His 50 (4x4/3x6) 43b. Swindells going to his 50 with a maximum over extra cover, the ball before being a ‘scoop’ shot for another maximum.

Only two other Leicestershire batters reached double figures Finan (41*) 28b, and Welch (15) 12b. Both Gibson and Nathan Sowter being on a hat trick during the County innings. Gibson with 3-25 was the leading Durham wicket taker.

Durham knocked off the runs required for victory in 16.2 overs, thanks to another Liam Trevaskis 50 (4x4/4x6) 29b. Harry Crawshaw (32) also gave the Durham innings good impetus. There was a slight hiatus for Durham after nine overs when rain took the players from the field, with only just a little bit of daylight between their score at the time, and the DLS par score.

The stoppage only lasted eight minutes, no overs being lost. Finan taking 2 wickets, Khan and Harry Sullivan the other wicket takers.

Game One Scorecard: HERE. Game Two Scorecard: HERE.