The leg-spinner continued his rich showings in the County Championship by taking four scalps to help Northamptonshire strangle Leicestershire for 203 runs in the first innings. Overlooked by the BCCI’s plans for red-ball cricket, the 34-year-old India leg-spinner has certainly made his mark on the ongoing county season.
Coming off a five-for and four-wicket haul in the previous match against Derbyshire, Yuvendra Chahal once again showed intent and skill for Leicestershire. Chahal had a good match-up with their fellow spinner, Rob Keogh, as they jointly took seven wickets in the first innings.
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Their team effort was fruitful in taking Northamptonshire to its first victory in County Championship Division II last week, and on Sunday, they left Leicestershire in a vulnerable situation. The hosts started with a blow as their opener, Rishi Patel, went without a run. However, when this alliance was going well, his opening partner, Sol Budinger, stabilized the innings shortly with a well-played knock of 56 runs.
17.3 | Straight into the action! 👏
Yuzi Chahal strikes with his third ball of the morning, bowling Holland round his legs. 💪
Leicestershire 45/2.
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— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) September 17, 2024
39.4 | Yuzi gets Rehan Ahmed! 🌀
It’s one big shot too many for Ahmed as he picks out Procter.
Leicestershire 139/6.
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— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) September 17, 2024
Cameos were provided by the captain Lewis Hill (32) and Rehan Ahmed (30) but by this time Chahal-Keogh partnership was already swinging in full swing. Victims for Chahal comprised Ian Holland, Rehan Ahmed, Ben Cox, and Scott Currie while Keogh took out Hill, Tom Scriven, and Sam Wood.
49.1 | Bowled him! ☝️
Chahal collects a third as he bowls Cox for 25. 💪
Leicestershire 178/7.
Watch live 👉 https://t.co/CU8uwteMyd pic.twitter.com/EFxZmd813I
— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) September 17, 2024
61.1 | Four for Chahal! 4️⃣
He traps Currie in front. 🙌
Leicestershire 198/9.
Watch live 👉 https://t.co/CU8uwteMyd pic.twitter.com/5yyBQ0YrIk
— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) September 17, 2024
The bowling unit, of course, would have undoubtedly pumped Northamptonshire’s confidence back in place. And now the emphasis would lie in making as big a lead as possible with the bat. Northamptonshire started their second innings cautiously enough with openers Gus Miller and captain Luke Procter scoring 37 and 38 runs respectively, but regular wicket losses kept them under pressure.
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At No.3 George Bartlett got out for a duck bringing no respite for the team either. The rest of Day 1 was stabilized by James Sales (34*), who, along with Rob Keogh (15*), remained unbeaten at stumps. Northamptonshire will look to take the upper hand by the end of Day 2, going into Day 2 at a deficit of 69 runs. Hopefully, good batting will help them dictate the course of the game.
