Life after Notts

Dumped by Notts at the end of 2011; Akhil Patel, younger brother of Samit, is still looking for a professional contract. One avenue of search for new employment has taken young Akhil to Wantage Road where he had a game for their seconds against Derbyshire.

17 May 2012     Matt Lineker starred with a century on the final day of the Second XI match versus Northamptonshire – and Derbyshire were just one wicket short of victory at the death. The Derbyshire left-hander finished 102 not out as AJ Harris’s men declared their second innings on 221-5 (Tom Knight 46), setting the home side 286 to win from a minimum of 72 overs at Milton Keynes. After reducing Northamptonshire to 142-7 from 50 overs, Derbyshire bowled 28 unsuccessful overs at the Academy duo of Duckett, who scored 95, and Findley; only for the pair to fall in successive balls at the start of the final over of the day, bowled by Garry Park. The Derbyshire Captain, who finished with figures of 3 for 31 from nine overs, was unable to force the final breakthrough in the three balls that followed, meaning Lineker’s earlier century – and exceptional figures of 2 for 5 from eight overs from Jonny Marsden – went unrewarded. Tom Knight followed his earlier heroics with the bat with 2 for 35 from 17 overs. There were no wickets for Mark Turner and Ally Evans. Derbyshire took nine points from the match; their opponents eight. Day 2 Report... Derbyshire’s 2nd XI enjoyed the better of Day Two in their 2nd XI Championship contest against Northamptonshire at Milton Keynes. The hosts resumed 20 without loss in the morning in reply to Derbyshire’s 244 and began well with Ben Howgego and Akhil Patel taking Northants to 92-0. However the loss of Howgego (34) and Patel (53) in quick succession signalled a collapse, with John Marsden (3-55), Garry Park (2-15) and Mark Turner (2-38) the main contributors as the hosts slumped from 92-0 to 180 all out; Derbyshire securing their full quota of bowling points in the process. With a handy lead of 64, Derbyshire lost two early wickets with Chesney Hughes (4) and Park (1) both dismissed cheaply; however a valuable stand from Matt Lineker and Ben Slater advanced the score to 110-2 before the latter fell for 40. There was time for one further dismissal in the day to see the visitors close on 117-4, a lead of 181, with Lineker unbeaten on 53. Yesterday, having lost the toss and asked to bat first, Derbyshire scored a competitive 244 in their 1st innings, with Matt Lineker (41), Garry Park (20), Ben Slater (42), Steve Bullen (52) and Mark Turner (35) at the end of the innings all contributing to the total. Having bowled the visitors out in 93 overs, Northants then faced a potentially tricky nine over spell of batting before the close of play, something the hosts were able to do, closing 14 without loss at the conclusion of Day One.