Ali plans to bowl Foxes over with Kibworth show
AADIL Ali believes breaking into Leicestershire’s first XI rests on his ability to add another string to his bow – which is why he is busy developing his off-spin in club cricket.
The county man has been plying his trade with Kibworth in Leicestershire & Rutland while striving to become a focal point in the Foxes’ first team.
With 23 senior appearances under his belt, Ali has flitted in and out of contention this season and a score of new Foxes arrivals over the winter has made for limited opportunities.
But Ali’s tricky situation has been Kibworth’s gain – the righthander has played five games for the table-toppers to date, making three half-centuries and securing his maiden five-wicket haul.
And while he has yet to take a scalp in senior cricket, the 21year-old is already seeing the benefit his new-found skill is having on his game.
“I’ve been working on my bowling a lot, it gives me a second bite of the cherry when it comes to selection, knowing I can contribute in club cricket or second XI even if my batting isn’t always on top form,” said Ali, who has scored four half-centuries for Leicestershire.
“It gives me a bit more confidence, puts less pressure on my batting and allows me to be a bit freer and I can put less stress on myself.
“I’ve been working hard on my batting, I’ve got a few games this year but we’ve got a stronger squad and the team has improved a lot so it hasn’t always given me the opportunity.”
With Ali’s help, Kibworth have streaked clear by 68 points just 13 games into the season after their latest victory over Hinckley Town on Saturday.
And the youngster, enjoying his seventh season in the champions’ first team, believes Kibworth are benefitting from throwing caution to the wind.
“We’ve got some games to fall back on – that allows us to use some youngsters which will ultimately help us going forward,” he added.“We can have that freedom to express ourselves, and that’s something vital in a game as mentally tough as cricket.”
Elsewhere in the Midlands, Swarkestone’s county trio of Wayne White, Scott Elstone and Alex Hughes helped them stay top of Derbyshire, with the latter topscoring with bat and ball in victory at Denby.
Nottinghamshire leaders Cuckney dropped points against Ordsall Bridon, while in Cornwall, Adrian Noott (115no) carried his bat and Neil Ivamy took 4-4 to see leaders Truro crush Newquay by 233 runs.
Meanwhile it was a day to remember for North Middlesex skipper Tom Nicoll – following his knock of 124 with a superb eightwicket haul in victory over Eastcote – while Teddington blew away Ealing to win Middlesex’s first versus second clash.
In the Home Counties, Northamptonshire all-rounder Saif Zaib hit 157 in Tring Park’s draw with Slough, while Henley gained ground on leaders Finchampstead after they brushed aside Burnham by eight wickets.
Adnan Rasool’s 7-34 helped J G Meakin extend their North Staffordshire & South Cheshire lead to 31 points, with Porthill Park only mustering a draw with Ashcombe Park despite Marcello Piedt’s six wickets and a hat-trick from Simon Plant.
Matthew Good’s unbeaten 123 helped Harrogate maintain their gap at the Yorkshire North summit with a seven-wicket win over Scarborough.
Sheffield Collegiate got the better of Steel City rivals Phoenix & United in Yorkshire South, while Darren Hurst’s 90 inspired a vital Neston win in the Cheshire relegation battle.
Rain also plagued Wales as the SWALECdivision was completely abandoned, but North Wales leaders Llandudno may have wanted the wet stuff, suffering a five-wicket defeat against Brymbo.