Wells enjoys good day
Wed 22 Jul 2015
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
Good contributions with the bat from Tom Wells, Michael Burgess and Ollie Freckingham arrived on the second day of the SEC encounter between MCCU and Leicestershire at Desborough Town CC.
Another pleasant, occasionally sunny but breezy morning greeted the players as they took the field. The Farm Park that backs up to the pavilion was doing a brisk trade with excited parties of young children busily chattering away as they enjoyed the facilities.
The Coach of MCC Universities is Clive (CT) Radley, a gnarled old pro of yesteryear. Two well known cricketers from time gone by have played for Desborough Town CC, David (DJ) Capel and John (JCJ) Dye. Anyone the ‘other’ side of 60 will remember all three of those names from the past.
Just after writing the intro to my report, I learnt of the death of Mike Turner. I will keep my report today purely factual, with no anecdotes or joviality, as a mark of respect.
County resumed on their overnight 39-1 with Rob Sayer 16* and Andrea Agathangelou 15*. All of the first four batsmen of the day got in but then subsequently got out.
First to go was Sayer(17), who was caught behind by keeper Cullen off seamer Westphal. Agathangelou followed soon afterwards, lbw to left arm quickie Lilley.
Neil Pinner (22) followed shortly afterwards when he was caught at deep backward square leg by Westphal off seamer Milnes. Dan Redfern (22) was the fifth wicket to fall, the score on ‘Nelson’.
Wells (27*) and Burgess (32*) took County into lunch on 171-5 from 46 overs. After lunch the Wells/Burgess alliance flourished, Burgess going to his 50 (7x4/1x6) from 64 balls. The pair had added 93 for the 6th wicket when Burgess (56) came down the wicket to spinner Bruno Broughton, and was stumped by Cullen.
Wells, supported by Sam Evans, went to his 50 (4x4/1x6) from 120 balls - a very watchful and responsible half-century from the skipper. Wells (51) had only added a further run when he was caught behind by Cullen off Milnes.
Academy player Evans meanwhile was playing a very mature innings on his debut for the Second XI. Evans took 16 balls to get off the mark, going on to make 9 from 46 balls before becoming another victim of the Cullen/Milnes combination.
Freckingham was beginning to enjoy himself, producing a sparkling cameo of an innings. Freckingham added 23 with Evans for the eighth wicket, then a further 23 for the ninth wicket with Liam Hurt (9).
Freckingham had advanced to 44 from 38 balls when the new ball was taken. Freckingham posted a four and then a single from the first five balls of the new cherry, got to the non strikers end, and prepared himself on 49 not out to go to a merited half century, whilst Wyatt faced the last ball of the over.
Disaster, Wyatt (0) was bowled by Lilley. Freckingham finishing undefeated on a commendable 49 not out from 43 balls (8x4/1x6). County were all out for 290 from 81 overs, at which point tea was taken.
MCC Universities had a first innings lead of 37 and had a further 35 overs to negotiate before the close. They did not encounter many problems along the way finishing on 113-1, a lead of 150. Bullen (15) was the only batsman out, caught low down by Pinner at slip off Wells. Thompson 48* and Cullen 45* were the unbeaten batsmen at the close.
I could not finish without paying my own tribute to Mike Turner, who has sadly passed away. He was responsible for the resurgence of Leicestershire CCC in the 1970s, and I spent many happy hours watching trophies being won under his stewardship.
The County Championship in 1975, the fantastic Benson & Hedges Cup exploits in 1972, 1974, 1975, John Player ‘Sunday League’ wins, the list goes on. I am sure more formal and detailed tributes will be made from official sources at Grace Road, but from me, thank you Mike, RIP.
