Match report day 4: Leics v Lancs in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Leicestershire v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 4

Before the start of play, opinion was divided in the crowd as to whether Lancashire could gain victory, or if Leicestershire could "Hang-on" for a draw. Brad Hodge despatched the first ball of the day to the boundary for 4. Fortunately, for the visitors this shot did not set the tone for the day. Wickets fell periodically - almost to script. Hegg wanted 5 wickets before lunch and at least 8 by tea. The team superseded his request courtesy of hard work, accurate bowling and an infectious confident approach. Just before 5pm, under a clear blue sky, Hooper smashed the winning runs and Lancashire were duly rewarded with maximum points. One could only feel sadness and pity for DeFreitas as he wondered from the field of play. He bowled in excess of 51 overs and finished with 9 wickets for 112. His team mates had let him down. Leicestershire days in division one are numbered, while Lancashire remain in touch with Surrey and Sussex at the top of the table

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

In the morning session Chapple removed Hodge and Ward in the space of 7 deliveries. He returned later in the day to dislodge Devon Malcolm and finish with 3 for 84. In the afternoon session John Wood bowled an inspired spell from the Bennett Road end. He combined with Warren Hegg to dismiss three home players within the space of 18 balls. At one point during the day, Peter Martin bowled 10 overs, 8 maidens, 5 runs and 1 wicket. John Wood finished the match with 6 for 101, and Keedy completed the match with 6 for 76 - figures and statistics which speak for themselves

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Small targets frequently create a problem. Set just 68 runs to win from 43 overs, Lancashire lost Swann in the 3rd over, Chilton in the 7th over, and Law in the 11th over. Mal Loye steadied the ship scoring 21 not out (3 x 4). Carl Hooper added 2 x 4 & 1 x 6 and finished up 20 not out

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Warren Hegg held 4 catches throughout the day. His best catch was a low dive to his right to dismiss DeFreitas. Hegg did not concede any byes either despite occasional awkward bounce. Carl Hooper also held a couple of neat catches at second slip. Alec Swann and Gary Keedy combined beautifully in the 60th over to remove Maunders. Nixon pushed the ball into the leg side - Maunders charged half way down the wicket but Nixon did not move. Swann picked up the ball and threw towards the stumps. He missed but Keedy collected the ball and dived full length to run out Maunders - a close call

 

Highlights of the Day

• The superb all round team performance and self belief on show.
• Carl Hooper's huge six over long-off to win the game
• The victory and maximum points attained

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Kyle Hogg only bowled 5 overs in Leicestershire's second innings. He only bowled 15 overs in the entire game for 50 runs. He never captured a wicket and appeared slightly rusty on his return to the game.
• The form of Alec Swann with the bat.

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

John Maunders appeared to be out leg before wicket in the 3rd over of the day. He did not offer a shot to a delivery from Peter Martin. The ball did not strike the pad too high, and the player was only marginally outside the line of off-stump - very close!

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Hodge caught Hooper bowled Chapple 38 - 161 for 3 in the 45th over Maunders 56*
• Huge appeal against Maunders for leg before wicket - no shot offered
• Ward caught Hegg bowled Chapple 0 - 161 for 4 in the 47th over - Maunders 56*
• 200 for 4 in the 60th over - Maunders 75* Nixon 14*
• Maunders run out (Swann/Keedy) 75 - 200 for 5 in the 60th over - Nixon 14*
• Chilton sustains injured knee, Watkinson takes to field for 2 overs - 205 for 5
• 222 for 5 in the 72nd over - Nixon 22* Snape 12* - Lead by 2 runs
• Lunch - 233 for 5 in the 74th over - Nixon 26* Snape 19* - Lead by 13
• Nixon caught Hooper bowled Martin 33 - 246 for 6 in the 80th over - Snape 25*
• DeFreitas caught Hegg bowled Wood 0 - 247 for 7 in the 81st over - Snape 26*
• 250 for 7 in the 84th over - Snape 28* Masters 1*
• Masters caught Hegg bowled Wood 1 - 257 for 8 in the 85th over
• Snape caught Hegg bowled Wood 36 - 262 for 9 in the 87th over - Amin 0*
• Amin 1 dropped by Law at first slip - 267 for 9 in the 89th over - Malcolm 2*
• Malcolm bowled Chapple 14 - 287 all out from 93 overs - Amin 6* - 3.10pm
• Leicestershire lead by 67 runs, 43 overs remain

• Swann caught Nixon bowled DeFreitas 1 - 5 for 1 in the 3rd over Chilton 4*
• Tea - 10 for 1 from 6 overs - Chilton 9* Loye 0* - Require 58 runs from 38 overs
• Chilton bowled DeFreitas 9 - 10 for 2 in the 7th over - Loye 0*
• Law caught Nixon bowled DeFreitas 15 - 28 for 3 in the 11th over - Loye 3*
• Hooper 6 dropped by Maddy at second slip - 47 for 3 in the 16th over - Loye 14*
• 50 for 3 in the 17th over - Hooper 9* Loye 14*
• 68 for 3 in the 21st over - Hooper 20* Loye 21* - Hooper hits from DeFreitas
• over long-off to win match - 5pm
• Lancashire won by 7 wickets
• Leicestershire 4 points, Lancashire 22 points

 

Lancashire Man of the Match

Award shared by Stuart Law 201 runs, and Carl Hooper 137 runs and 4 catches

 

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