Youngster Minhas Impresses On Seconds Debut
Tue 30 Apr 2024
By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire EPP star Usman Minhas and trialist Jakob Bhula both caught the eye with impressive knocks in testing conditions on debut for Leicestershire 2nd XI on Monday.
Bhula weighed in with a solid 36, while 17-year-old Minhas played an innings beyond his years making 31 not out, as Dips Patels’ side closed on 123/6 against Northamptonshire at Kibworth.
Heavy rain on Sunday had taken its toll on the outfield, and the umpires carried out an inspection at 12 noon. An early Lunch was taken, and after a further inspection conditions were deemed fit to play. Play duly commenced at 2.30pm, with 59 overs remaining in the day.
Harry Swindells captained the Foxes, his opposite number Gus Miller winning the toss, and inviting Leicestershire to bat.
An extremely chill wind was blowing across the ground when play commenced. Sam Evans and Sol Budinger opened the innings for County. In the 27 overs bowled before Tea, Leicestershire made 42/3.
Budinger (0) was caught at mid off by Rob Keogh off the bowling of ex-Fox Michael Finan. Sam Evans (7) went caught at the wicket by keeper George Hargrave, Finan again the bowler.
Harry Swindells (15) defended well soaking up 56b, until he was caught at second slip by Freddie Heldreich off of seamer Miller. Heldreich completing a juggling act to finally pouch the ball.
80 minutes before Tea, the scorers experienced problems, due to a local power cut for some 60 minutes, as a result of a tea urn being moved, and plugged into a different extension lead which tripped the power supply. Nightmare for your esteemed correspondent as the screen on the scoring console was virtually unreadable.
Leicestershire went into tea on 42/3 from 27 over, with Bhula 16* Jake Tarling 0*. In the 4th over after Tea, Tarling (4) was bowled by Justin Broad, no relation to you know who!
Minhas joined Bhula, and the pair repelled the testing, probing Northamptonshire attack for some time. Bhula paying some impressive looking defensive shots, accompanied by three finely executed boundaries. Bhula (36) 117b got a thin edge to a delivery from Finan, and was caught at the wicket by Hargrave. Foxes on 80/5 from 43.3 overs.
Minhas and Roman Walker then posted the highest partnership of the innings for Leicestershire adding 43 for the 6th wicket. Good to see Walker back on the field after returning from injury.
Their alliance came to an end from the 5th ball of the final over of the day. Walker (21) 51b having played a watchful solid innings, decided to do an impromptu audition for Strictly, dancing down the wicket to Keogh, missing the ball to give keeper Hargrave a comfortable stumping. Leicestershire closing on 123/6 from 58.5 overs. An excellent contribution from Minus (31*) 82b (4x4) on his 2nd XI bow.
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
