Wyatt shines on final day

Date: Monday 13 April 2009

Alex Wyatt was the star turn as Leicestershire and Loughborough UCCE played out an inevitable draw on the final day of the weather-affected first-class friendly at Grace Road.

Wyatt took 2-14 from a nine-over spell either side of lunch to ignite life into proceedings, and he finished with 2-34 overall from his day’s work.

However, despite that little spell which also saw a wicket for Jim Allenby, Loughborough UCCE batted out the rest of the day confidently, ending on 264-5.

Batsmen David Murphy and Gavin Baker both made half-centuries in the final session, finishing on 69 and 57 respectively during an unbroken stand worth 136.

Earlier in the day, bowlers Wayne White, Harry Gurney and Nathan Buck all bowled well and passed the outside edge of opening duo Philip Hayes and Paul Borrington on numerous occasions, but there was no breakthrough in the opening hour.

White did eventually get his man. After having a good battle with Hayes, the left-hander pulled a short delivery straight down Buck’s throat at long-leg, and the young seamer took a well-judged catch.

Buck also got into the act prior to lunch, having Borrington caught at second slip by Boeta Dippenaar.

Then, when Wyatt trapped Arun Harinath lbw and held onto a sharp return catch to dismiss Charl Malan, Leicestershire had their tails up.

Spirits were lifted further when Allenby enticed visiting captain Ashley Lynch to nick behind to Tom New, but that was the final moment of note for County’s bowlers.

Murphy and Baker played nicely to register their maiden first-class half-centuries, as the match was played out in sunshine not seen on the first two days.

In all, the weather had the ultimate say, but both sides could take positives from the game which proved to be a stern examination of County’s credentials.

Gurney did not get any luck throughout the game, and White, Buck and Wyatt could all easily have added to their wicket tally. Carl Crowe also bowled well but had no joy as the Students' batsmen dug in and played well.

The team will be thankful for the strong performance put in by Loughborough, which served as excellent preparation for the Championship opener against Northants on Wednesday at Grace Road (11am).

The Second XI get their season underway tomorrow against the same opponents at Wantage Road.