Wood Five-Fer Fires Seconds To Winning Start
Tue 20 May 2025
By Pete Johnson
Sam Wood’s five-wicket haul (4-0-14-5) inspired Leicestershire to an opening day victory away at Yorkshire in the SET20 on Tuesday.
The Foxes defeated Yorkshire by five wickets at Weetwood, with Harry Swindells’ half-century leading a chase of 147.
Skipper Louis Kimber won the toss and invited Yorkshire to bat on a scorching day. Kimber’s decision to insert soon paid off with Wood claiming the wickets of the first three Yorkshire batters in his opening three-over burst.
Matt Salisbury then picked up the wicket of Tykes skipper Jawad Akhtar, a fine catch pouched by Kimber, to leave the hosts 32/4 at the end of the Powerplay.
There was then a partnership of 55 for the 5th wicket between Jafer Chohan, and Joe Pocklington, their fifty alliance coming from 35 balls. Chohan (17) 21b was subsequently dismissed by leg-spinner Colby Dyer.
Pocklington went to his 28-ball fifty (4x4/3x6), but he fell to Roman Walker upon his reintroduction to the attack, the Welshman picking up two wickets in his first over.
It fell to Wood to bowl the final over of the Yorkshire innings, and he claimed a further two scalps to go with the three from his initial spell. Wood ending with marvelous figures of 4-0-14-5. Yorkshire closing on 146/9 from their 20 overs.
Harry Swindells and Sheridon Gumbs opened the innings for Leicestershire, and registered a fifty partnership after 6.1 overs, Swindells playing the dominant role, with some glorious shots from his extensive repertoire.
Three overs later, Swindells went to his own half-century, (7x4) 37b, the score on 77/0 after 9.1 overs. The homegrown opener (56) 42b departed caught at long off from the bowling of Chohan. County now 88/1 just after halfway.
In the next over, Kimber (6) was caught in the deep off the bowling of seamer Hishaam Khan. County then suffered a double setback when Gumbs (32) 26b and Jamie Dunk (0) went to successive deliveries from Chohan. County on 103/4 from 13 overs.
With a further 44 runs required for victory, Amrit Basra 27* (5x4) 17b ensured that the Foxes got over the line, receiving a strong supporting cameo from Wood 19 (1x4/2x6) 10b, who deposited the first two deliveries he faced for six and four respectively.
Leicestershire home by five wickets with 15 balls to spare, taking four points from the match as they prepare for two contests in Lancashire on Thursday.
A complete scorecard can be viewed HERE.
