COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Grace Road:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Essex 427-6 dec Leics 61-3 (Leics 2pts, Essex 6pts)
21 - 24 July 2009

Walker made his unbeaten 116 in 236 deliveries, striking 15 fours

Matt Walker's unbeaten 116 helped Essex claim maximum batting points against Leicestershire as yet more overs were lost to bad weather on day three.

Walker's first century in two seasons led the visitors to declare on 427-6 at the lunch break.

Essex then set about the home side's top order and made significant inroads, reducing them to 61-3.

But the rain returned in mid-afternoon and after three pitch inspections the umpires decided to abandon play.

There were 50 overs lost in the day, taking the total missed over the entire game so far to 155.

Walker picked up at the start of the day alongside James Foster on 294-4, and taking his cue from Hashim Amla's ton on Wednesday, he knocked his first century for Essex after being released by Kent last season.

He reached his landmark in 217 balls and hit 13 fours in the process as Essex moved to 400 in 113 overs to collect their first full five batting points of the season.

Foster fell 15 runs short of a century when he edged to keeper Tom New off the bowling of James Allenby. Ryan ten Doeschate was then out the next ball, the final delivery before lunch.

After Essex captain Mark Pettini declared at the interval Leicestershire lost three wickets for just 27 runs.

Matt Boyce made just four before he was trapped lbw by Tony Palladino.

Boeta Dippenaar was caught behind by wicketkeeper Foster off a David Masters delivery.

Palladino then claimed his next victim as Joshua Cobb edged to John Maunders in the slips who fumbled the ball but scooped it into the path of Walker who held the catch.

HD Ackerman and Allenby occupied the crease long enough to steer the home side on to 61-3 before the rain intervened.

Essex centurian Matt Walker told BBC Essex:

"It's always nice to get that first hundred for your new county, but more than that I was pleased to contribute heavily with the bat.

"I've felt in pretty good nick for most of the season but I just seemed to keep getting out, which has been frustrating.

"It's nice to get past that hurdle and get my first three figures for the club."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version