Match report day 1: Leics v Lancs in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

---

Scorecard:

Leicestershire v Lancashire

---

Summary for Day 1

Despite the heavy cloud overhead and the fact the wicket had been covered for a couple of days, Leicestershire opted to bat first. A decision which surprised supporters from both teams, as well as the groundsman himself. Initially, Lancashire failed to exploit the conditions to maximum effect. The visitors were fortunate to reach lunch with 4 wickets down, ably assisted when Ward played a woeful shot to the last ball before the break. Mid afternoon success turned to temporary frustration as DeFreitas and Snape added 74 for the 7th wicket. Keedy and Wood returned to wrap up Leicestershire's innings just before 6pm. A couple of wickets before the close helped even up the days play as Lancashire finished on 28 for 2 in reply to the hosts 259 all out

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Gary Keedy finished with 4 wickets for just 17 runs. He seemed to take a wicket at the perfect time - (last ball before lunch and to break partnership between Snape and DeFreitas). John Wood removed the crucial wickets of Maddy and Hodge in the space of 9 balls. At lunch his figures were 2 for 22 from 9 overs. He finished with 3 for 59

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Lancashire needed to survive 12 overs before the close of play. Unfortunately, two wickets fell. Mark Chilton survived a drop at first slip by Stevens in the 2nd over without a run to his name. He was less fortunate in the 7th over, when he offered a straight forward catch to Nixon behind the stumps. Night watchman Keedy, survived several awkward deliveries from Malcolm and DeFreitas. Alec Swann chopped the ball into his stumps with just two deliveries remaining of the day - a real blow to an otherwise successful day

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

A solid all performance in the field. Mal Loye made a number of fine stops in the gully region. Carl Hooper held a low catch at second slip to remove Maunders, but his anticipation to catch a rebound from Hegg to dismiss Stevens was incredible. Hooper's anticipation was a joy to watch even at the age of 38!

 

Highlights of the Day

• Dismissing Ward from the last ball before lunch
• Losing the toss and not being asked to bat in such bowler friendly conditions
• Bowling the home side out for 259

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Losing a wicket with the last ball of the day
• Dismissing Master from a no-ball before the 250 was posted

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

During the rain interval, the ground staff were exceptionally slow to cover the square. Although the rain lasted for just over an hour, no cover was placed on one side of the wicket!

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat
• Maunders caught Hooper bowled Martin 21 - 32 for 1 in the 11th over - Stevens 11*
• 51 for 1 in the 14th over - Stevens 21* Maddy 9*
• Maddy lbw b Wood 19 - 65 for 2 in the 18th over - Stevens 24*
• Hodge caught Hegg bowled Wood 5 - 73 for 3 in the 22nd over - Stevens 27*
• 103 for 3 in the 34th over - Stevens 36* Ward 20*
• Ward caught Swann bowled Keedy 20 (Last ball before lunch) - 103 for 4 from 34 overs - Stevens 36*
• 50 Stevens from 121 balls (7 x 4) - 127 for 4 in the 39th over - Nixon 6*
• Stevens caught Hooper bowled Chapple 54 (Rebound catch after Hegg dropped the ball) - 146 for 5 in the 46th over - Nixon 19*
• Nixon caught Swann bowled Martin 19 - 146 for 6 in the 47th over - Snape 0*
• 152 for 6 in the 48th over - Snape 4* DeFreitas 2*
• 50 partnership - 197 for 6 in the 55th over - Snape 23* DeFreitas 23*
• 201 for 6 in the 55th over - Snape 27* DeFreitas 23*
• Snape caught Wood bowled Keedy 27 - 220 for 7 in the 60th over - DeFreitas 40*
• Rain interruption 3.55pm - Early tea taken - 230 for 7 in the 66th over - DeFreitas 49* Masters 1*
• Play recommences at 5.5pm - 16 overs lost , 23 remain to be bowled
• 50 DeFreitas from 64 balls (7 x 4) - 232 for 7 in the 66th over - Masters 4*
• DeFreitas caught Hegg bowled Keedy 57 - 243 for 8 in the 69th over - Masters 6*
• Amin caught Loye bowled Wood 1 - 244 for 9 in the 70th over - Masters 6*
• Masters caught Hooper bowled Wood 6 from a no-ball - 247 for 9 in the 71st over - Malcolm 1*
• 252 for 9 in the 72nd over - Masters 6* Malcolm 1*
• Malcolm caught Loye bowled Keedy 3 - 259 all out in the 74th over - Masters 10* - 5.45pm
• 5.55pm restart - 12 overs remaining to be bowled
• Chilton 0 dropped by Stevens at first slip - 1 for 0 in the 2nd over - Swann 0*
• Chilton caught Nixon bowled DeFreitas 14 - 20 for 1 in the 7th over - Swann 5*
• Swann bowled Malcolm (Played-on) 7 - 28 for 2 in the 12th over - Keedy 4* - Close wicket fell with last ball of the day

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Neil Adams http://www.cricketimages.co.uk/adams-report/intro.html)