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Essex’s James Foster scores century to highlight Leicestershire failings Essex’s James Foster highlights Leicestershire failings with century
(35 minutes later)
Tough times for Leicestershire show no signs of getting easier. Bowled out cheaply on the first day by a purveyor of dibbly-dobbly medium pace, they conceded a century to James Foster, his second in successive innings, and then subsided a second time with extreme rapidity in the end. They really are an extremely poor side. Essex, who reached only 334 themselves, had won the match inside two days, without recourse to the expedient of the extra half-hour available if a result looks a possibility. Essex won by an innings and 79 runs.Tough times for Leicestershire show no signs of getting easier. Bowled out cheaply on the first day by a purveyor of dibbly-dobbly medium pace, they conceded a century to James Foster, his second in successive innings, and then subsided a second time with extreme rapidity in the end. They really are an extremely poor side. Essex, who reached only 334 themselves, had won the match inside two days, without recourse to the expedient of the extra half-hour available if a result looks a possibility. Essex won by an innings and 79 runs.
Dismal does not really do justice to how badly Leicestershire played. They were 196 behind on first innings and in their second had reached 48 before the first wicket fell. From then on it was a disastrous display. Greg Smith made 36, Angus Robson 26 and Josh Cobb 37 and the remainder offered scarcely anything. From 92 for three and, much worse, from 113 for four, they were all out for 117, the last six wickets falling for four runs then in the space of five overs. Cricket at this level should not be this simple.Dismal does not really do justice to how badly Leicestershire played. They were 196 behind on first innings and in their second had reached 48 before the first wicket fell. From then on it was a disastrous display. Greg Smith made 36, Angus Robson 26 and Josh Cobb 37 and the remainder offered scarcely anything. From 92 for three and, much worse, from 113 for four, they were all out for 117, the last six wickets falling for four runs then in the space of five overs. Cricket at this level should not be this simple.
This did not appear a pitch on which batsmen ought to prosper unduly, particularly when the September start is early and morning mist lingers. There was no great pace in it but the ball nibbled around off the seam and swung gently, the sort of surface on which batsmen once would wonder how they might get a run from Tom Cartwright or Derek Shackleton. But with diligence, and an acknowledgement that such pitches require graft and discretion, it is possible to score runs, as Foster showed.This did not appear a pitch on which batsmen ought to prosper unduly, particularly when the September start is early and morning mist lingers. There was no great pace in it but the ball nibbled around off the seam and swung gently, the sort of surface on which batsmen once would wonder how they might get a run from Tom Cartwright or Derek Shackleton. But with diligence, and an acknowledgement that such pitches require graft and discretion, it is possible to score runs, as Foster showed.
For the 14 overs that Smith and Robson were together it looked as if Leicestershire might make a better fist of things. But then Robson was lbw to the young seamer James Porter, a lively right-armer who bowls from the edge of the crease, falls away a little in delivery and slants the ball in as a stock ball, with the occasional delivery holding up. If this was only his second first-class wicket, he soon had another when Ned Eckersley, not computing Porter’s angle of attack, chose to leave one and lost his off-stump. Dan Redfern followed, somehow converting an innocuous short ball into something malevolent and gloving a catch to gully.For the 14 overs that Smith and Robson were together it looked as if Leicestershire might make a better fist of things. But then Robson was lbw to the young seamer James Porter, a lively right-armer who bowls from the edge of the crease, falls away a little in delivery and slants the ball in as a stock ball, with the occasional delivery holding up. If this was only his second first-class wicket, he soon had another when Ned Eckersley, not computing Porter’s angle of attack, chose to leave one and lost his off-stump. Dan Redfern followed, somehow converting an innocuous short ball into something malevolent and gloving a catch to gully.
It became processional. Smith went lbw to the first ball of a new spell from Monty Panesar which was the catalyst for one of the more disproportionate celebrations consisting of a trademark Monty gambol, then high-fives, before he aeroplaned out towards third man and back, finishing by sliding on his knees as if he had just netted a Premier League winner. The only hope is that it was an in-joke: he did not go that far when he dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in a Test.It became processional. Smith went lbw to the first ball of a new spell from Monty Panesar which was the catalyst for one of the more disproportionate celebrations consisting of a trademark Monty gambol, then high-fives, before he aeroplaned out towards third man and back, finishing by sliding on his knees as if he had just netted a Premier League winner. The only hope is that it was an in-joke: he did not go that far when he dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in a Test.
What followed was no less comical for Essex if not Leicestershire. Rob Taylor, who earlier had completed a five-wicket haul, played an airy drive and was bowled while Niall O’Brien was lbw, both wickets to Jesse Ryder. The remainder was just shooting fish in a barrel.What followed was no less comical for Essex if not Leicestershire. Rob Taylor, who earlier had completed a five-wicket haul, played an airy drive and was bowled while Niall O’Brien was lbw, both wickets to Jesse Ryder. The remainder was just shooting fish in a barrel.
Earlier Foster actually cemented the Essex innings which had itself collapsed once the century stand between him and Ravi Bopara was ended by Taylor. He was dished up some erratic bowling and put it away tidily when the ball was within reach, going on to make 132. He was last out having a dart at Charlie Shreck whom he had just straight driven for six, one of two he hit to go with 19 fours and has now made 17 first-class centuries, five of which have been against Leicestershire.Earlier Foster actually cemented the Essex innings which had itself collapsed once the century stand between him and Ravi Bopara was ended by Taylor. He was dished up some erratic bowling and put it away tidily when the ball was within reach, going on to make 132. He was last out having a dart at Charlie Shreck whom he had just straight driven for six, one of two he hit to go with 19 fours and has now made 17 first-class centuries, five of which have been against Leicestershire.