Davies revives County hopes

7:53pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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WORCESTERSHIRE skipper Vikram Solanki was slightly disappointed after the first day of their LVCC Division Two match with Leicestershire.

On a day when injured Worcestershire seamer Simon Jones welcomed his second son into the world, the County saw cricket back at New Road for the first time in 10 months.

Having been 200-4 at one stage, the County closed on 258-7, with Steven Davies unbeaten on 50.

"With the position we were in earlier in the day, I'm disappointed that we were 258-7 at the close," the skipper said.

"The wicket seamed around a little bit, but we got ourselves in a good position."

Solanki looked in good form before giving away his wicket for 65, and he feels that was part of the County's downfall during the day. "I have to take it a little upon myself for the position we are in," he said. "I was disappointed with the way that I got out and it left the other batsmen to start all over again.

"The partnership at the end of the day was fantastic and hopefully today they can put on a few more runs.

"I'm confident that when our bowlers come in they will be able to do a good job on the wicket."

Having played slow and steady all day, Worcestershire started to implode in the middle order with James Allenby taking three wickets for just eight runs in two overs to swing the day back into Leicestershire's favour, before Davies hit a late 50 for the hosts to restore the balance.

The New Road side were looking like they were going to edge the day with a steady 65 from Solanki and veteran batsman Ben Smith falling one short of his 50.

Daryl Mitchell, having failed to deliver at Warwickshire last week, got off to a good start before edging Garnett Kruger behind to skipper Paul Nixon for 23, while Stephen Moore quickly followed.

With the score on 49-2, Solanki and Smith slowly repaired the innings with a stand of 96.

Moeen got a slice of luck in an uncharacteristic slow inn-ings when he was dropped by Jacques du Toit in the 72nd over on 16, but the simple missed chance didn't cost the Foxes too much as he went shortly after as Allenby hit his purple patch.

Davies hung around until the end of the day unbeaten on 50 with Gareth Andrew (18 not out) who, along with Steve Magoffin and Chris Whelan, got his county colours before the start of play.