Nixon leads the way as County bounce back

Date: Wednesday 28 April 2010

After a first day dominated by the ball, the willow certainly held sway over leather on the second as Leicestershire showed great spirit to fight back against leaders Sussex in the LV=County Championship game at Hove.

Paul Nixon led the way with an unbeaten half-century and there were contributions throughout in the second innings. With everybody showing good application, County closed on 226-3, which means the team are now just 52 behind with seven wickets in hand.

Will Jefferson made 44, Andrew McDonald 36*, Matthew Boyce 28 and James Taylor 24 to go with Nixon's 68*. The batsmen certainly bounced back; the opening day's aggregate was 337-17 in effect but 405 runs were added today for the loss of seven wickets in total.

Jefferson and Boyce shared 76, Nixon and Taylor put on 65 and the left-hander then shared an unbroken stand of 70 with captain McDonald. Partnerships were always going to be key and the vibrant stands have given Leicestershire hope at the halfway stage.

It hadn't looked too good for County earlier when Sussex progressed to 392 at a brisk pace. Murray Goodwin scored 142 from 173 balls, while Rana Naved-ul-Hasan also scored a century; he made 101 from 113 deliveries. All told, the duo put on 146.

McDonald claimed both wickets as he took 3-79 on his debut but Sussex's first-innings lead stood at a substantial 278. However, County made a much better fist of their second innings and chiseled away at that deficit.

Leicestershire were hoping for an early breakthrough or two but Goodwin and Naved-ul-Hasan picked up where they left off and took their partnership to 164 before McDonald struck twice.

Nathan Buck charged in alongside AJ Harris but the quality of batting was excellent. Rana was particularly aggressive and moved to a half-century from just 57 balls with four fours and two sixes.

The batsman is capable of taking a game away from the opposition and Leicestershire felt the full force of his bat. The key to his knock was the fact that he was prepared to take on the slow left arm of Claude Henderson, who has been extremely economical so far this season.

Rana was certainly in good form and he was scoring too quickly for County's liking. Goodwin continued on his way with more well-constructed batting and he was again the cornerstone of the innings.

When Rana did miscue off Henderson, he had a slice of fortune as the ball just bounced in front of long on.Fortune was favouring the brave, although a cut through point by Goodwin was more conventional.

The 300 came up when Rana cut to the boundary and that meant a third bonus point for the hosts. The lead went past 200 with both approaching centuries.

The Pakistan international moved to three-figures before Goodwin, who started the partnership 48 runs ahead of his partner. It was a really explosive knock, which included nine fours and two sixes and Goodwin also moved to a century.

Goodwin, who made a triple century against County in the game where his side won the County Championship in 2003, made his hundred from his 143rd delivery. He struck sixteen boundaries in the ton.

The partnership was ended by McDonald, who had bowled accurately for little reward up to that point but then got his just desserts. Rana skied the ball miles in the air and Nixon took a good catch down the ground.

Goodwin continued to go well; a shot over cover point for six was a particularly good stroke. However, McDonald, who continued to probe away, snared his third wicket in trapping his opposite number lbw.

Sussex went into lunch on 379-9 and Wayne White wrapped up the innings after the break when he had Monty Panesar caught behind by New.

Leicestershire's batsmen then set about a long stay at the crease and Jefferson and Boyce again started well, as they did yesterday. Jefferson found the boundary three times in the opening over and after five overs, the team were 37 without loss.

Both continued to build and Jefferson played a nice stroke through mid-wicket as the stand passed the half-century mark. Boyce was playing watchfully while Jefferson continued to score bounadries. He whipped away a fine shot through square leg as he moved towards a half-century.

Boyce stroked a fine four through cover off Robin Martin-Jenkins but County then lost their first wicket as Jefferson fell. The batsman attempted to pull James Anyon for four but succeeded only in finding Chris Nash on the deep square-leg boundary.

One then bought two as Boyce was caught at second slip by Matt Prior for 28 as Anyon claimed his second wicket as tea approached. Nixon and Taylor got through to the interval, with Taylor driving handsomely through extra just before tea.

The pair continued to build afterwards with both batsmen at their watchful best. The stand moved past fifty, with Nixon taking on Panesar when he entered the attack.

The partnership moved past 50 and Taylor had moved patiently onto 24 when Anyon struck for a third time to have the batter leg-before. It ended a fine stand of 65 and captain McDonald came in to partner Nixon, who continued to go well.

Nixon moved to his first Championship half-century of the season off 103 balls and he struck four boundaries and a six in the process.

McDonald showed great intent and hit five early fours as the team kept the scoreboard moving. There was a passage where eight boundaries were scored in four overs and it was good positive stuff from the duo.

Nixon got down to reverse-sweep Panesar for another four, while a punch through mid-wicket also raced away. McDonald continued to be aggressive and he scored a four off the penultimate ball of the day with a tickle down to fine leg off Rana.

The partnership of 70 came from just 12.3 overs and ensured the team closed with good momentum. The team will hope to take that into tomorrow's play.