2009 Season Review - June

Our season review continues with a look at June. Leicestershire produced some excellent cricket during the month, including those much-needed back-to-back Twenty20 successes mentioned in the last review piece.

The first was an outstanding all-round performance against Notts. Jim Allenby’s brilliant 110 from just 56 balls – backed up by some good batting by Matthew Boyce, Taylor and Jacques du Toit – ensured the Foxes posted more than 200, and then Allenby, White and Harry Gurney each took three wickets as the Outlaws were skittled in reply.

Allenby’s innings was simply brilliant. He was one shy off Darren Maddy’s all-time record and had the fielders chasing their tails around the Grace Road turf. In total, he hit fifteen boundaries – including eight sixes.

Left-arm seamer Gurney was impressive throughout the tournament, which earned him a permanent contract at the club until the end of the 2010 season after previously being on an extended trial. After taking a career-best against Notts, he also bowled well the following evening as the team beat Derbyshire in contrasting style.

Although it was far from a run-fest, the team were clinical in their actions. After grinding their way to 144-6, the Foxes were on fire with the ball. The young seamer bowled well with Harris, Allenby and Henderson to ensure another two points was gained.

There was also an excellent display in the field, with du Toit and Jigar Naik taking outstanding catches in the deep. There was then a return to four-day action, which is never ideal when you are in the heat of a Twenty20 tournament.

Being able to adapt is a key trait and the side demonstrated that ability as Championship draws followed in rain-affected games against Kent and Surrey. Dippenaar retained the captaincy after leading the team in twenty-over cricket and Tom New was given a chance behind the stumps.

The team made a welcome total of 400 in their first innings for the first time against Kent, which ensured a decent points tally from the match. Dippenaar’s 89 and New’s unbeaten 85 were key contributions, and HD Ackerman (67), Josh Cobb (46) and Boyce (37) also batted well.

County also made 400 in their second dig against Surrey to ensure a famous rearguard after a first-innings failure as Jade Dernbach snared a six-for. The team provided far greater resistance second time around, with Dippenaar making his first hundred for the club and Ackerman scoring 180 as part of a stand that passed 300 and nearly broke an all-time third-wicket Leics record.

The century was a great moment for Dippenaar, who had worked so hard to reach the landmark. After making regular tallies of 80s and 90s in the past, the skipper had now passed the magical three-figure mark.

It was then back to Twenty20 - and what a way to resume with a full house at Liverpool against 100 percenters Lancashire was never going to be one for the faint-hearted. On a hot Monday evening at the lovely Aigburth venue, the Foxes kept their cool to beat a side that included VVS Laxman and Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff.

It was another fine performance in a feisty contest. Allenby led the way with 69, and O’Brien then took a magnificent 5-23 in a pacy, hostile display as the team ended the Lightning’s unbeaten run. It also silenced the substantial home faithful, who enjoyed the summer conditions which were similar to those found during the Foxes’ earlier Twenty20 trip to the Riverside.

The game was certainly a great occasion, and showed that T20 cricket can be a success at outgrounds. The Liverpool club had done a great job in staging the game, ensuring fans had a good choice of refreshments and the players were superbly looked after.

Lancashire really meant business, and to beat a strong side was a tremendous effort. It showed what the side was capable of and was a huge boost to confidence and qualification hopes.

Unfortunately, Trent Bridge seemed to bring out the worst in the Foxes in 2009 and the team turned in a dire performance on the following Thursday to leave qualification hopes in the balance. However, hopes were restored during a crucial win over Yorkshire the following night during a remarkable comeback.

The Foxes had done well to post 164-6, with good contributions throughout including 32 from du Toit and 32 from Nixon. However, Jacques Rudolph and Andrew Gale set about that chase with relish.

Carnegie were 98 without loss after ten overs but a fantastic fightback with great bowling from Henderson, White and Harris ensured the Foxes clinched two points against one of their closest rivals.

The dramatic game marked the final appearance in Michael Vaughan’s long and successful career and he did not end in the style he had hoped. Looking to guide his side to victory, Vaughan was bowled by Harris. Shahzad could not repeat his Headingley heroics and the Foxes edged home.

It meant Yorkshire were now out of the equation and the match against Durham became a winner-takes-all affair. The visitors put in a highly-disciplined display on the day to ensure they progressed as runner-up. Although the Foxes finished third, only two of the three teams who end in that position go through and County bowed out.

In the next Championship game, Leicestershire and Derbyshire fought out an intriguing opening three days before losing the final day to rain. The game was set up nicely with County hopeful of sealing a win.

Allenby made 96, Taylor 89 and New 66 as County tallied 412 in their first innings, before the visitors batted well. O’Brien stopped them in their tracks with a six-wicket burst, and New (63*) and Allenby (52) again batted well to put Leics 256 ahead going into the final day.

Unfortunately, it was washed out. The team did not have to wait long for that first Championship triumph though, as it came against Middlesex in the next game – the first match to be played in July.

Running totals:

Championship: P6 W0 D5 L1

FPT: P8 W2 L4 A2

T20: P10 W5 L5

Player of the month: Jim Allenby