Worcestershire - Day Two Match Report
Sat 9 Apr 2022
Running Foxes captain Colin Ackermann and Lewis Hill mounted a recovery in the final session of a truncated day two at Uptonsteel County Ground.
The pair saw the team through to close on 42 for three, having been six for three, after Worcestershire were bowled out for 348 earlier in the day. Ed Barnes starred with three wickets, while Ben Mike picked up the final two poles of the Pears’ innings.
Leicestershire started the day well, with Barnes trapping Ed Barnard in front for 57 with his third ball of the morning, ending an impressive 94-run stand.
Ben Cox fell shortly after, with the wicketkeeper nicking behind to his counterpart Swindells to give Barnes his second of the morning and leave the visitors toiling on 155-6.
However, Worcestershire fought back in defiant fashion. Overnight batsman Brett D’Oliveira and all-rounder Joe Leach scored fluently throughout the remainder of the session, taking lunch on 205-6 after the former had past 50.
The two continued to frustrate the Running Foxes’ attack after the restart, with Leach also passing 50, before golden-arm Ackermann came on and ended the 127-run stand. Leach caught for a well-made 70 via a brilliant catch in the deep by Barnes, who was having a great effect in both disciplines of the field.
D’Oliveira, who had survived a difficult chance at third slip on three on the first evening, brought up a magnificent 100 soon after. And in his first game as Worcestershire skipper no less.
The new ball did the trick for Leicestershire, with Barnes grabbing his third “ Josh Baker out LBW for 15. Ben Mike wrapped up the innings with two quick wickets, Charlie Morris bowled for 8 and Dillon Pennington caught behind for 2.
D’Oliveira finished unbeaten on 118, as the visitors were all out for 348.
The Running Foxes got off to a difficult start, with Leach and Morris picking up three early scalps to leave the side six for three inside five overs. Sam Evans (1), George Rhodes (0) and Hassan Azad (5) the men to go.
Ackermann (8*) and Hill (26*), who looked especially fluent taking three consecutive boundaries off Morris, took Leicestershire to an early stumps, as a mixture of bad light and rain prevented any further play.
The Running Foxes will resume day three on 42-3. Play starts at 11am.
