Wells top scores at Northants
Mon 18 Apr 2016
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
Well here we go again then, fasten your seat belts for the 2016 season. Having had the opportunity to blow away a few cobwebs, and dust the old keyboard down, not to mention sharpening the odd pencil or two at The Parks, and Trent Bridge for Pre Season Friendlies, I am now back up to speed, and able to hit the ground running for the Championship game at Northants.
Very best wishes to our new Second XI Coach, Pierre De Bruyn as he embarks on his first season with the Foxes.
The Scorers at Wantage Road are domiciled high up at the Pavilion End of the ground, the altitude somewhat akin to an eagle’s eyrie. The confine of the room is quite snug, when one moves, we all move, shoulder to shoulder, and all that.
It would be a challenging habitat for three gentlemen of a more fuller figure. We are so high up that I am sure I will be on Christian name terms with Major Tim Peake (of International Space Station fame), by the end of Day 3. After the exploits of the mighty LCFC this season I have become accustomed to lofty positions.
On an extremely chill mid April Monday morning the Umpires emerged from their winter hibernation, and made their way to the middle at their accustomed funereal pace. I am sure you could get even money on a tortoise to beat them over 70 yards. There were a dozen or so spectators on the ground, dressed as if they were about to begin a polar expedition rather than watch a cricket match.
County skipper Tom Wells lost the toss, and Northamptonshire elected to field. Harry Dearden and Lewis Hill opened up for County, but Hill (3) soon went caught low down at 3rd slip off seamer Matt Spencer.
Dearden and Tom Wells then shared a partnership of 104, both looking very accomplished playing shots all around the wicket. Wells moved to an excellent 50 (8x4) from 65 balls, and soon afterwards went bowled by Monty Panesar for 61.
Harry Dearden moved to his 50 (6x4) from 91 balls and County went into lunch on 144-2 from 36 overs. There then followed a bit of a post lunch ‘wobble’ seeing the score go to 199-7 after 60.3 overs.
Dearden (59) went bowled by Shaz Ali. Rob Taylor (21), and Will Wright (23) both being adjudged lbw, the former off Ali, the latter From Brindar Phagura, both having just laid a solid foundation to their innings before being out.
Rob Sayer (12) was bowled by Phagura, Adam Tillcock(2) also bowled, Spencer rearranging his woodwork. The followed a healthy partnership of 62 between James Sykes, and Ollie Freckingham.
Freckingham (26) made a patient knock from 70 balls before being caught behind by Harry Hovey off Ali, soon after the new ball had been taken. Atif Sheikh (4), and Liam Hurt (4) were soon victims of Phagura while Sykes remained undefeated on 49 from 86 balls.
Sykes’s fine innings included six fours and one maximum when the ‘Huntingdon Hurricane’ clipped Ali just in front of square with the minimum of effort. County all out for 284 after 86.4 overs. Phagura being the pick of the bowlers with 4-75 off 18.4 overs.
Northamptonshire had a minimum of 15 overs to bat, and moved on to 92-0 from 18 overs at stumps. Sean Terry (32), and Jake Libby (55) the not out batsmen. Libby bringing his 50 up (7x4) from 52 balls.
A special mention to those two hardy souls Rosemary and Chris who stuck it out to the very end of play, and to Tim Murray who was spotted circumnavigating the ground suitably attired with overcoat and gloves, and of course his regulation cap. Well done as well to all other spectators present.
