On a gloriously sunny day our visitors won the toss and elected to bat.
Josh Shaw and James Wainman bowled a tight opening spell – the first 10 overs resulting in 27-1, Wainman having Swindells caught behind for 9. Ed Barnes replaced Wainman and with his fourth ball had the other opener, Lowen, also caught behind for 12.
Ali and Wells took the score to 100, when shortly before lunch the latter was bowled by Karl Carver for 41 from 48 balls – they had added 73 in 124 balls. Lunch arrived with our visitors 104-3, Ali 38 not out.
Chappell was dropped from a sharp chance at short leg when on 16 and he went on to make 74 from 94 (7×4;4×6) before being bowled by Barnes – he had added 118 for the fourth wicket with Ali in 168 balls. Ali completed his century from 174 balls including 12 fours and 3 sixes and at tea he was unbeaten on 103 as Leicestershire reached 259-4 from 72 overs.
Ali fell shortly after tea having added 11 to his individual score – he was caught at mid on by Matthew Taylor for 114 to give Karl Carver his second wicket. Javid was lbw to give Taylor his 1st victim and in the space of 5 overs he had taken 4-23 to leave Leicestershire 347-9, however Mike then took his score to 71 from 56 balls to enable them to declare on 375-9.
After a boiling day in the sun we were left to face 6 overs and, unfortunately, we lost both openers, Rafiq for 0 and Hodd for 7.
We will resume tomorrow on 11-2, trailing by 364 runs.
At present both sides have 4 bonus points.
John Virr – 2nd XI Scorer
