Wright Claims Five-Wicket Haul While Wood Takes Four As Seconds Dominate Day One
Tue 22 Jul 2025
By Pete Johnson
Chris Wright claimed a five-wicket haul, while Sam Wood took four, as Leicestershire dominated the opening day of their Second Eleven Championship fixture against Gloucestershire.
The Foxes dismissed the visitors for just 110 at Kibworth, before heavy rainfall curtailed their reply after just three overs midway through the afternoon.
Wright skippered the side, won the toss, and chose to bowl. The 40-year-old took immediate advantage of conditions, reducing Gloucestershire to 7/2 after only 3.2 overs. Opener Ed Middleton (1) bowled, swiftly followed by away captain Tommy Boorman (0) caught at first slip by Sheridon Gumbs.
Opener James Matravers and Kamram Dhariwal then posted a partnership of 26 before Dhariwal (11) was caught at backward point by Jamie Dunk off Wright. Sam Wood replaced Matt Salisbury in the attack, and bowled Matravers (35) in the 5th over of his spell. Earlier in his spell Wood had Daaryoush Ahmed put down at third slip before he was off the mark.
Wood subsequently got the wicket of Ahmed (15) when he had him caught at the wicket by George Maddy. Gloucestershire 66-5 from 22.2. In the last over before lunch, James Trood (13) was caught in the gully area by Arnav Rai, off the bowling of Wood. Gloucestershire into Lunch on 82-6 off 26.1 overs.
Wright bowled the second over after the restart, and it brought him two further wickets to complete his five-fer. Jonny Bushnall (8) was bowled, and Luke Charlesworth (0) went caught behind by Maddy from the second ball he received. Gloucestershire 84-8.
20 runs had been added for the 9th wicket when Wood had Aman Rao (12) caught behind by Maddy. Alfie Johnson (14) was then run out at the non-striker’s end. Salisbury swooping on the ball short on the on side, firing it into the bowler’s end, for Wood to administer the coup de grace by removing the bails.
Gloucestershire 110 all out from 38.2 overs. Zaman Shafi (1*). Chris Wright returning figures of 11-6-20-5, ably supported by Sam Wood with equally impressive figures of 13.2-2-34-4.
Leicestershire commenced their reply at 2.46pm, but only three overs were possible before a thunderstorm accompanied by rain of biblical proportions brought an end to play for the day. Leicestershire 8-0. Gumbs (6*), Usman Minhas (0*).
