Four out of six teams of Group 2 were in action on Day 1 in the seventh round of the County Championship 2021. Let us have a look at how it went for them.
Leicestershire vs Middlesex, Grace Road
Middlesex 260/7 (Simpson 73*; Parkinson 3-76) v Leicestershire
Middlesex ’keeper John Simpson remained unbeaten at 73 to take Middlesex from 132/6 to 260/7 against Leicestershire at stumps on Day 1. Openers Sam Robson and Stephen Eskinazi added 52 runs after Peter Handscomb won the toss and opted to bat. Since then, wickets fell at regular intervals as no Middlesex batter was able to convert their starts to big scores.
Simpson and Luke Hollman (32) shared 90 runs for the seventh wicket before the latter was bowled by Edward Barnes. Callum Parkinson was the pick of the Leicestershire bowlers with figures of 3-76, while Barnes and Will Davis claimed two wickets each.
Surrey v Gloucestershire, Kennington Oval
Surrey 285/5 (Amla 103*; Higgins 2-38) vs Gloucestershire
Hashim Amla scored a delightful unbeaten hundred as Surrey finished Day 1 at 285/5 against Gloucestershire at The Oval. Amla brought up his 54th First-class century with the help of 12 fours.
Coming to bat, Mark Stoneman (22) and Ryan Patel (62) provided Surrey with a good start. They were 105/1 at one stage but were reduced to 185/5 after some excellent bowling in the middle overs from David Payne (2-58) and Ryan Higgins (2-38).
Amla then held the fort alongside Jamie Overton (50 not out). The pair added an unbeaten 105 before the close of the day’s play.