Whiley displays promising streak

Hampshire 311 v Leicestershire

Matthew Whiley, whose hairstyle has up to now attracted more comment than his cricket, gained recognition of a more serious nature yesterday when he was named on a provisional list of 20 players bound for the England National Academy next winter.

Whiley, discarded by Nottinghamshire in 2000 despite having played for England at Under-19 level, sports a broad white streak that gives his hair the appearance of a Davy Crockett hat. However, one presumes it is for his promise as a left-arm bowler of no little pace that he has been earmarked for tuition from Rod Marsh, the Academy director.

Although his performance was patchy yesterday, Whiley did take a couple of important wickets as Hampshire initially struggled after choosing to bat first.

While at Trent Bridge, Whiley was denied a £5,000 prize when he bowled the fastest delivery in a speed challenge at Lord's only to be called for a no-ball. Yesterday he sent down 17 such deliveries but, when he does get everything right, Whiley can be a threat, as John Crawley discovered to his cost after Hampshire had reached 185 for 5 just before tea. Misjudging the line after Whiley had decided to bowl around the wicket, the Test batsman shouldered arms only to see his off-stump knocked back.

Given that Crawley, who had hit seven fours in reaching 60, appeared well set, it was a significant breakthrough to follow the one Whiley made before lunch when he had Will Kendall caught off bat and pad at forward short leg.

That wicket tilted the first session towards Leicestershire's direction with a greenish wicket offering some encouragement to the bowlers, although Darren Maddy had put down Kendall twice at second slip on nought and four, denying Devon Malcolm and Phil DeFreitas a wicket in turn. It was just as well Maddy had Giles White leg before when he was asked to bowl.

The off-spinner Carl Crowe found enough turn to enjoy a successful spell after lunch, accounting for Robin Smith, Neil Johnson and John Francis in the space of 33 deliveries. That left Hampshire 113 for 5, which reflected well on the captaincy of Iain Sutcliffe, standing in after Vince Wells pulled out with a neck injury. But after Nic Pothas, profiting from Malcolm's dropped catch on 21 to hit 11 fours in his 63, had shared partnerships of 72 with Crawley and 60 with Dmitri Mascarenhas, the visitors ended the day in somewhat better shape, the last five wickets adding 198 runs.