O 50's v Leics - Match Report
ECB 50+ v Leicestershire at Dereham – 2nd June 2010As the Captains agreed afterwards, whoever lost the toss lost the match and so it proved.
Norfolk inserted, found the wicket hideously spiteful, with balls spitting, popping, flying and Leicestershire’s attack took full advantage. Paul Rice tried to outrun the strong arm of (my former team mate) Gordon from 50 yards, no contest - it had looked like a certain four, but slowed in the long grass and for a while Peter Coote (39) and Martin Pearse kept the status quo. However, Coote departed and then Leicestershire introduced Ian Simpson after 12 overs. His pace induced some vicious snorters, Pearse being hit in the throat, body and groin. Sayers (19), helped in a mini stand before Lund (3) unluckily ran himself out, taking the score to 120. Pearse’s long vigil ended on the boundary for 47 and then Bridgestock (30*) and Harrison (26*) capitalised at the death to post 183 – 6, a very commendable total, given the circumstances.
Norfolk needed two things, the wicket to continue misbehaving (which it didn’t) and the bowlers to be on top form (which they weren’t) – King and Lester excepted. Unfortunately, too many long hop four balls were sent down and Howard (23) and Waters (70) capitalised. There were moments when the home team clawed things back 151 – 2, 155 – 5 being a case in point, but Leicestershire eased home with 2 overs to spare. Now Norfolk, in brief, need to win their last three matches to go into the play-offs.
A tall order.