SECOND XI REPORT: Mahmood strikes before rain brings early close
Saqib Mahmood played his first competitive game since appearing for England against Bangladesh at Mirpur in February, taking an early wicket before rain brought play to a premature close on the opening day of the Second XI Championship season at Southport & Birkdale Sports Club.
Just under 30 overs were possible in two 55-minute spells during the morning, following a brief stoppage for a shower just before midday, and for 20 minutes after lunch.
But just after 2pm the rain returned to wash out the rest of the day.
Lancashire picked a side containing three England players with Mahmood, Matt Parkinson and Luke Wood in the line-up and it was Mahmood - playing in his first second eleven game since 2019 - who made an early breakthrough when left-handed opener Sam Wood edged a defensive push behind for 8 with George Lavelle taking a good tumbling catch low down in front of first slip.
Mahmood looked in good form on his return sending down six overs from the Harrod Drive End taking 1-11 while Wood conceded just 11 runs from his seven-over stint, but with so little play Parkinson was unable to get into the action.
After the mid-morning delay Sam Evans nicked a good length delivery from Danny Lamb behind to Lavelle having made 28 to leave Leicestershire 66-2.
Louis Kimber played some nice drives in his unbeaten 38 that included 5 fours, and he will be partnered by Harry Swindells (5 not out) when play resumes tomorrow with Leicestershire 90-2.
Score Summary
Lancashire v Leicestershire at Southport, Day 1
Leicestershire 1st inns 90-2 (29.5 overs) Kimber 38*, Mahmood 1-11, Lamb 1-15
Lancashire won the toss and opted to bowl
Teams
Lancashire: Harry Singh, George Lavelle (wkt), Arav Shetty, Luke Wood, Danny Lamb, Tom Aspinwall, Jack Blatherwick, Saqib Mahmood (capt), Matt Parkinson, Jack Morley, Charlie Barnard (Lancs Academy), Harry Birkman (Lancs Academy).
Leicestershire: Sam Evans, Sam Wood, Harry Swindells (wkt), Nick Welch, Scott Steel, Tom Scriven, Louis Kimber, Roman Walker, Will Davis (capt), Ed Barnes, Joe Johnson, Harris Sullivan.