Leicestershire Story

[Scurvy]

Next up is a match against Leeds UCCE, which I used to have a look at the rotation players, match drawn, NoB scores 362, Angus Robson 212*

Then its home to Gloucestershire. 2 changes to the team, with Angus Robson (a promising young batsmen who impressed against Leeds) and Tom Wells (young all-rounder) in for injured Eckersley and Boyce. We lose toss and are asked to bowl.

• Day 1: Yet again a good first day, with Gloucester struggling on 98/5 at lunch. Wyatt and Hog take a wicket each with the new ball, and Naik then takes 3 as first change. A 99 stand after lunch between Will Gidman and Payne inhibits progress, but eventually Gloucs. are all out for 246. Naik with 21-2-64-5-3.05. Openers end day 30/0.
• Day 2: Even day, ending 300/6, runs were scored at a decent rate but wickets fell consistently.
• Day 3: Strong batting from tail takes team to 413. Norwell pick of a strong Gloucs. seam attack with 5-129. Thakor gets 79, Tom Wells scores 79 on debut and most impressively Henderson top scores with 88. Gloucs. have another poor innings, and end on 190/5.
• Day 4: Gloucs. stick around for an uncomfortably long time, and are eventually out for 299. Naik gets 4-80 and Wells very impressive with 19-4-34-2-1.79. Meaning 133 is needed off 1 and a half sessions, which we make relatively easily with 18mins to spare.

First win of the season. batting is very good, reaching 400 in the first innings for the 4rd consecutive match. The bowling was aided by some poor Gloucs. batting, but Naik continues to be outstanding, and Wells did well on debut.

[Scurvy]

Second game at home to Kent. Win toss and elect to bat. Same team selected.

• Day 1: Another good start, ending the first day 300/4, NoB scoring 69
• Day 2: Heavily rain effected, ending on 379/7
• Day 3: Sarwan reaches 103 and useful tail batting by Naik on 54* helps team reach 423 midway through day. Kent bat well to 239/4.
• Day 4: Kent overtake total just before tea and declare 16 ahead on 439/8, Powell scoring an excellent 148. Naik again the best bowler with 46-6-150-6-3.26. We bat out day ending 86/3.

Another draw, very similar to the first game.

[Scurvy]

Thought it would be fun to play a game as Leicestershire, my aim in the first season is to achieve a mid-table position in the CC, and to attempt not to have a losing record in the CT or T20. Realistically I think it could be a difficult season for a below-average team.

Team for the first game away at Hampshire is:

1. Niall O'Brien, Bat Av. 35.68 - Ireland international, aggressive opening batsman in CC and OD games
2. Matthew Boyce, 28.30 - poor average from 140 innings, but better than alternatives.
3. Shiv Thakor, 51.42 - excellent young batsman
4. Ramnaresh Sarwan (c), 39.17, Bowl Av. 41,79 - WI international, will be key batsman and useful backup bowler.
5. Ned Eckersley (w), 31.39 - Young Wicketkeeper-bastman with alot of potential.
6. Greg Smith, 28.84 - Unremarkable young batsman, can open
7. Jack Cobb, 24.96, 58.89 - Aggressive batsman and decent bowler
8. Jigar Naik, 26.63, 32.22 - Solid off-spinner who can bat a bit.
9. Claude Henderson, 18.95, 30.82 - Experienced bowler, ex-SA international, 899 first class wickets
10. Matthew Hoggard, Bowl Av. 27.52 - ex-England international, experienced bowler, 770 first class wickets
11. Alex Wyatt, 30.59 - Young bowler with potential

Lose the toss and asked to bowl first on a good pitch but poor conditions.

• Day 1: Good first day to season, with an opening stand between NoB and Boyce of 250, Boyce out on 106, NoB on 161, and team end day at 330/2.
• Day 2: Declare at tea on 572/5, with Thakor on 158* and Eckersley contributing with a useful 89. Chris Wood is best bowler with 47-9-129-3-2.74. Hampshire openers bat out the day to 63/0.
• Day 3: Hamps. reach 392/2 at close, led by James Adams who scores a sublime 201*
• Day 4: Adams falls early for 218, but Michael Carberry gets in and scores a fluent 114, with Hamps eventually bowled out for 573 just after lunch. Naik bowls well with 39.5-8-112-5-2.81, supported by Henderson (49 overs at 2.69 econ.) We bat out a draw, ending on 124/4.

Draw on a pitch clearly favouring batting.