Tony Palladino took his 450th wicket in senior cricket, but Leicestershire made the most of favourable batting conditions on Day One at The 3aaa County Ground.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the visitors reached 415-3 at the close of play. Mark Cosgrove top-scoring with an unbeaten 137, while Colin Ackermann also hit a century on a good day for the visitors.
Vice Captain Gary Wilson said: “The last two sessions certainly didn’t go as planned. The wicket got easier to bat on throughout the day but that being said, the skill level probably wasn’t quite there although the commitment from the fielders was which was pleasing.
“It was a big toss to win but we can’t hide behind that. Tomorrow is a new day, there’ll have to be a little bit of damage limitation now at 415 for 3 and the ball’s in their court. Ackermannn and Cosgrove played very well although we missed our chance off Cosgrove.”
Paul Horton and Harry Dearden opened the innings for Leicestershire, adding 37 for the opening wicket before Palladino (1-71) had Horton (20) caught behind by Daryn Smit, giving the seamer his 450th wicket as a professional across all forms. The players went in for lunch with Leicestershire at 77-1.
Dearden was dismissed just after the break as he was caught by Alex Hughes at gulley off Tom Taylor (1-86) for 46, but Leicestershire dominated the rest of the session.
Ackermann brought up his half century from 89 balls with nine fours, taking Leicestershire to 158-2 after 50 overs. Mark Cosgrove quickly followed him to fifty, off 60 balls, as he brought up Leicestershire’s 200.
Ackermann continued to score quickly and reached his century from 149 balls. He was finally dismissed by Jeevan Mendis (1-99), caught at slip by Gary Wilson, for 118.
Leicestershire increased the run rate in the final session as Cosgrove made his way to a century, doing so from 125 deliveries in the 82nd over. Ned Eckersley came in and made a brisk half-century, reaching it off 49 balls and hitting nine fours and one six.
Leicestershire closed on 415-3 with Cosgrove unbeaten on 137 and Eckersley on 77.
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