Josh Hull's Nightwatchman 97 Keeps Leicestershire Fighting at Trent Bridge

England fast bowler Josh Hull made an unexpected 97 as a nightwatchman to lead Leicestershire's resistance against Nottinghamshire on day three of their County Championship Division One match at Trent Bridge. The ECB Reporters' Network, writing for BBC Sport, reported that Leicestershire closed on 250-7 in reply to Nottinghamshire's 451-8 declared, leaving the visitors 201 runs behind.

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Hull batted for five hours and 15 minutes, facing 247 balls and hitting 10 fours and two sixes. The 22-year-old had never previously passed 50 in first-class cricket. Before this innings, he had reached double figures only three times in 34 innings and owned a career-best score of 35 not out.

Resuming after arriving at the crease shortly before the end of the previous day's play, Hull helped Leicestershire recover from an overnight 23-2. He and Rehan Ahmed survived a rain-delayed morning session, then extended their third-wicket partnership to 83 from 33 overs before Ahmed edged Dillon Pennington to first slip for 54.

Hull received a reprieve on 44 when wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne dropped him. He then reached his maiden first-class half-century from 158 balls and shared a 94-run fourth-wicket stand with Hamza Shaikh. His innings also included a slog-swept six off Liam Patterson-White as his defensive effort developed into a more confident one.

A second chance came on 90, when Pennington could only get fingertips to a low caught-and-bowled opportunity with the new ball. The seamer eventually dismissed Hull three runs short of a century, trapping the visibly tired batter in front. Pennington finished the day with 4-42 from 19 overs after taking the first two Leicestershire wickets on the previous evening.

Leicestershire remained 52 runs short of the total needed to avoid the follow-on at stumps. Nottinghamshire's task was complicated by an injury to Brett Hutton, who was replaced at tea by first-class debutant Tom Giles. Giles responded with 2-26 from 11 overs, dismissing Nick Kelly and Stephen Eskinazi, but Hull's marathon innings had kept Leicestershire fighting in a match carrying importance at both ends of the Division One table.