Late blow for Lincolnshire after hard graft on opening day of Norfolk clash
Lincolnshire were due to resume on 43-1 on day two of their opening NCCA Counties Championship game against Norfolk at Sleaford CC.
Day one had delivered exactly the kind of County Championship cricket you’d expect on a hot July afternoon - hard graft, patience, and a whole lot of sweat.
Norfolk, having won the toss on what was clearly a batting wicket, made full use of conditions that offered very little in the way of swing, seam, or spin.
The pitch was true, the outfield rapid, and the bowlers had to work for every single opportunity.
Norfolk batted with discipline throughout the day, building steadily rather than spectacularly.
On an excellent batting surface, their approach delivered the visitors full batting bonus points and means that Lincolnshire needed to post a similar, if not better first innings total.
Lincolnshire’s attack stuck to their plans admirably, keeping control even when wickets were hard to come by.
The reward for persistence eventually came as Norfolk closed on 374-9, a total they will feel represents a strong day’s work in taxing conditions.
Equally, Lincolnshire will be satisfied that they kept chipping away and claimed nine wickets and full bowling bonus points on a pitch that offered little assistance.
The wickets were spread neatly across the seam attack:
Mark Footitt took two wickets on his first appearance of the season, hitting the pitch hard as ever while Matt Mills, Sleaford’s own, also collected two wickets with disciplined lines.
Debutant Seamus Nazir worked tirelessly through the hottest part of the day, earning two wickets from a demanding 22 over spell.
Tom Shepherd was the pick of the figures, finishing with 3-56 from 13 overs.
In response, Lincolnshire were faced with 16 overs to navigate before stumps and looked set to reach the close unscathed.
Captain Nic Keast played fluently for 29, but with just seven balls left in the day he was dismissed, a gut-punch ending to an otherwise solid mini-session.
But Lincolnshire were well placed to build a total that could challenge Norfolk’s and set up a genuine chance of victory.