Seconds enjoy profitable day

Date: Wednesday 20 May 2009

Leicestershire's bowlers had an excellent day against Surrey in the three-day Championship-style friendly at Grace Road.

Surrey, who had a strong batting line-up, finished proceedings on 187-9 following a rain-hit day, where 64 overs were bowled in total.

Leicestershire's bowlers shared the wickets, with Kieran Garside the most successful bowler with 3-46.

Jonathan Batty and Chris Jordan were given an awkward time by Harry Gurney (0-44 from 19 overs) and Sam Cliff (1-29) early on as the ball nipped around.

It was change bowler Alex Roberts who built on their good work. Batty was first to go, bowled by a jaffa.

The seamer nipped one back to clip the very top of off stump, and then dismissed fellow opener Jordan with one that swung the other way.

Joel Pope held a good catch behind the stumps, and Roberts could have had a swift three-for had Jigar Naik held a catch in the slips the very next ball.

Chris Murtagh survived that scare, and went on to make 16 before misjudging a Wayne White delivery that knocked out the off pole with no shot offered.

White (2-25) then bounced out Laurie Evans, before Garside struck three times either side of lunch.

He had Rory Burns caught at mid-on by Cliff following a loose stroke, before trapping Seren Waters lbw with his next delivery.

The seamer then bowled dangerman James Benning for a fluent 70, before Chris Cheslin settled in.

The left-hander finished unbeaten on 41, and received good support from Simon King and George Edwards in stands of 21 and 28 for the eighth and ninth wickets.

Naik and Cliff - who was returning to action after a shin injury - picked up a wicket apiece to dismiss the two, which left Tim Linley to see things through to the close alonside Cheslin, who batted for more than 100 balls in a patient knock.

The game is spans for three days in the Championship style, but is not a league fixture as County and Surrey are in different divisions.