July 2008 Archives

Leicestershire 288 for 6 (96 overs). Ackerman 173, Smith 16.

Ackerman remained on a different level to everyone else while Warwickshire will be a bit disappointed that Smith survived the last 16 overs of the day during which 67 runs were added to even the contest up quite a lot.

Apple, banana, cheese-grater, diplodocus.

Leicestershire 271 for 6 (87 overs). Ackerman 158, Smith 14.

Ackerman has been in a diffferent league to his team-mates and is now dealing capably with the new ball, purveyed by Tahir and Anyon.

For all the South African's brilliance, though, the opening day is set to end about par.

A par total on this track, according to a trawl of the press-box: "400-plus". "Oh at least." "450 at least". "Don't bother me with hypothetical questions - I'm busy."

Martin has been left out of this match so that, hopefully, his hamstring strain will clear in time for the Northamptonshire match at Edgbaston next week.

Leicestershire 219 for 5 (75 overs). Ackerman 123, Malcolm 0.

Botha turns one and Cobb edges it to Trott at slip to perish for a painstaking 35 and end a partnership of 139 in 43 overs.

In, making his debut, comes Johan Malcolm. A Dane.

Leicestershire 199 for 4 (69 overs). Ackerman 111, Cobb 27.

Ackerman has just smoothed a Salisbury full-toss to the long-on fence, his 13th four, to reach his fifth championship century of the season. He has also struck one six, an enormous straight job off Botha.

Salisbury and Carter are plugging away in the baking heat. Ackerman is climbing into his strokes, Cobb still strokeless but adhesive. Like a limpet.

Have you ever seen a limpet play a stroke?

Tea: Leicestershire 176 for 4 (64 overs). Ackerman 89, Cobb 26.

Gruelling fare for the spectators as the Bears have toiled against the accomplished Ackerman. Cobb scratched about for a long time and only one of his first 20 runs was in front of square but he started to settle towards tea.

Salisbury turned one or two but conditions are not in his favour. Warwickshire's depleted bowling attack needed tea to come so they could recharge.

It looks a good batting track, though, so if the Bears can get Leicestershire out for 263 or less they can seize control of this match by piling up a big total.

Leicestershire 80 for 4 (33 overs). Ackerman 28, Cobb 0.

Salisbury's fifth delivery after luncheon grips and turns and bowls Allenby for a blob. Cobb reaches the crease aiming to make the most of his elevation to the first team and immediately essays a huge drive at Carter and the ball beats the edge by a millionth of a millimetre. Troughton, meanwhile, fields.

Most of the goldfinches have fluttered off to other areas now that food is plentiful in high summer but we still have a loyal three of four who come to the feeders most days with their lovely warbling, which sounds just like chuckling, and gorgeous bright plumage.

We love them all but our particular favourite is the one which, no matter how much he/she eats, always remains pencil slim. Greenfinches are usually nicely-shaped, not rotund by any means, but sort of pear-shaped but this one is resolutely skinny. We call him "Pencil Billy".

To the very first ball after lunch, Nixon plays forward to Carter, misses a straight one and his off-stump falls back.

Leicestershire 78 for 3 (30 overs). Ackerman 26, Allenby 0.

Lunch: Leicestershire 78 for 2 (30 overs). Nixon 35, Ackerman 26.

Carter bowled the usual wholehearted spell and could have broken through once or twice, notably when Nixon inside-edged the ball down on to the ground and then up over the stumps. Salisbury came on before lunch but, as you would expect on the first morning, there was not much turn.

Decent recovery by Leicestershire but, despite the Bears' bowling options being depleted, the home batting is brittle enough to offer hope of a clatter if a breakthrough comes soon after lunch.

Maddy has not bowled himself yet despite his figures from the last three championship innings in which he has bowled amounting to 35-14-78-9.

Leicestershire 55 for 2 (16 overs). Nixon 18, Ackerman 20.

Anyon was denied a third wicket when Nixon, on 12, edged a drive but Salisbury grassed a relatively comfortable chance, head-high, in the gully.

Anyon and Tahir bowled through the first hour and, a little surprisingly, Trott has just come on first change for Tahir. Now Trotty may be about to take eight for 23 in 17 mesmeric overs but this move, which the Bears have tried in other championship matches, is a strange one to understand. Especially as Maddy bowled so well at Uxbridge the other week.

Trott's first offering was hammered to the cover boundary by Ackerman.

Presumably, Carter will soon replace Anyon at the Bennett End.

Leicestershire 18 for 2 (6 overs). Nixon 0, Ackerman 1.

Anyon nips one away, Dippenaar drives airily and Maddy takes a good catch, two-handed, to his right at second slip.

Anyon is bowling well and Tahir accurately at the other end to maintain the pressure in front of a very small crowd.

The total has just been enhanced by a quartet of leg-byes, signalled by one of two ex-Leicestershire players umpiring this match.