Tattersall bowls Lincolnshire to emphatic opening win over Bedfordshire

Lincolnshire began their Unicorns Eastern Division Championship fixtures with a maximum 24-point victory over Bedfordshire at Sleaford last week.
Cricket SUS-150806-142444001Cricket SUS-150806-142444001
Cricket SUS-150806-142444001

Having won the toss, Bedfordshire batted and started well, reaching 78 before their second wicket fell.

Thereafter wickets fell regularly as the Lincolnshire bowlers kept the run rate under control. At 182-9 Bedfordshire looked likely to be dismissed for less than 200, but a last wicket stand of 61, the largest of the innings, between Adam Wheatcroft (52 not out) and former England spin bowler Monty Panesar (17) took the total to 243, the final wicket falling in the last of their allotted 90 overs.

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The hosts used eight different bowlers, with Jonny Tattersall (2 for 19) the most successful.

Openers Ross Carnelley (52) and Tattersall (44) gave Lincs a fine start with a stand of 94, before Louis Kimber, who made 45 on his home ground, and Dan Freeman (50) added 66 for the fourth wicket.

But the innings was dominated by Dominic Brown who made a superb 95 not out from 120 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. That and a quickfire 34 from Luke Robinson added impetus as the home side closed on 378 for a substantial lead of 135.

Alex Willerton bowled opener Luke Thomas for a duck at the start of Bedfordshire’s second innings as Lincolnshire again kept a tight rein on the scoring rate.

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By the close of play on day two Lincolnshire’s seven bowlers had reduced the visitors to 117-8, still 18 runs in arrears.

On day three they were soon all out for 136 with only captain Andy Reynoldson offering any resistance with 46 before he was last out. Tattersall took 5 for 23, giving him match figures of 7 for 42.

Lincolnshire quickly knocked off the two runs required for victory.

* Lincolnshire’s next play Hertfordshire, at Hertford, on Sunday, July 3.