Leicestershire grind out a draw
Rearguard batting from Paul Nixon, with an unbeaten half-century, and nightwatchman Jigar Naik ensured Leicestershire earned a draw against promotion-chasing Glamorgan on the final day at Swansea
24-Jul-2010
Rearguard batting from Paul Nixon, with an unbeaten half-century, and nightwatchman Jigar Naik ensured Leicestershire earned a draw against promotion-chasing Glamorgan on the final day at Swansea. Leicestershire's batting tactics were questionable, as in both innings they averaged little more than two runs an over, but in the end the result earned the counties seven points each.
That was enough to take Glamorgan up to second place in Division Two five points ahead of third-placed Gloucestershire, who they take on at Cheltenham next week.When the players shook hands at 4.50pm to ensure the draw Leicestershire had reached 221 for 6 in their second innings, an overall lead of 178.
Glamorgan went into the final day very hopeful of sealing their sixth championship win of the season. That optimism was heightened when James Harris bowled Jacques du Toit with the first ball of the morning to leave Leicestershire 41 for 3 in their second innings still two runs behind Glamorgan.
But after that the home side failed to make further inroads for another 33 overs as Naik and James Taylor dug in for a draw. Only 63 runs came in those 33 overs as Leicestershire hardly played a shot in anger and the pitch failed to produce the same prodigious turn that it had on the third day.
A rare boundary from Taylor brought up the Leicestershire 100 but four runs later the right hander was dismissed by Robert Croft, to give him 1,001 first-class wickets for Glamorgan, caught one-handed by Gareth Rees at short leg. Taylor was obviously upset by umpire Richard Illingworth's decision claiming the ball had come off his chest.
Either side of lunch Leicestershire continued to frustrate Glamorgan's hopes of a victory with Naik and Nixon holding off for another 19 overs. Glamorgan were given slight hope when Naik's three-hour vigil, during which he faced 193 balls for his 35, came to an end when he was bowled by Jamie Dalrymple.
But Nixon, an obdurate batsman at the best of times, ensured Leicestershire shut the door on the Welsh county. Glamorgan delayed taking the new ball but when it was thrown to James Harris he duly obliged by having Tom New caught behind to leave Leicestershire 176 for 6, a lead of 133.
Nixon went on to make his half century from 118 balls, but when play resumed following a rain break after tea the crowd were treated to the farcical spectacle of wicketkeeper Mark Wallace coming on for the final over - his first in first-class cricket.
