Collymore strikes on debut for Warwicks

BIRMINGHAM: West Indies fast bowler Corey Collymore claimed one wicket on his debut for Warwickshire on Thursday in their English County Championship match against Leicestershire at Edgbaston. Collymore picked up one for 71 off 18 overs as Leicestershire scored 346 all out. Yesterday, Collymore’s West Indies and Barbados teammate Vasbert Drakes captured two wickets to help restrict Warwickshire to 277 all out and give Leicestershire a 69-run first innings advantage. Leicestershire closed the second day on 121 for six — for an overall lead of 190 runs — after they were rocked by Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis, with three wickets. Less than 24 hours after arriving in England as Warwickshire’s overseas-player replacement for Kenyan leg-spinner Collins Obuya, Collymore dislodged opener Darren Maddy (51) for his only wicket of the innings.

Brad Hodge led Leicestershire to their competitive first-innings total with a stylish 70, putting on 121 with Trevor Ward (42). John Sadler, with an unbeaten 59, held up Warwickshire, whose top bowlers were Alan Richardson (3-55) and Younis (3-52). Drakes bowled Nick Knight for a duck to give Leicestershire a boost with Warwickshire 15 for one at stumps. Drakes, who recently joined Leicestershire to replace injured Virender Sehwag, added another scalp yesterday to end with two for 42 off 15 overs to support other pacers David Masters (3-40) and Maddy (3-29). Leicestershire stumbled from 112 for two Friday afternoon and lost four wickets for nine runs, as Younis picked up three for 17. Collymore went wicket-less but was tight with none for 17 off seven overs with two maidens.