Nightwatchman Josh Hull Hits 97 as Leicestershire Resist Nottinghamshire

BBC Sport, carrying a report from the ECB Reporters' Network, says Josh Hull produced a career-best 97 as Leicestershire resisted Nottinghamshire on day three of their County Championship Division One match at Trent Bridge. Leicestershire closed on 250-7 in reply to Nottinghamshire's 451-8 declared, leaving the visitors 201 runs behind.

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Sent in as a nightwatchman late on the previous evening, Hull batted for five hours and 15 minutes and faced 247 deliveries. The 22-year-old left-hander struck 10 fours and two sixes, having previously reached double figures only three times in 34 first-class innings. His earlier best was an unbeaten 35 against Kent.

Hull shared an 83-run third-wicket partnership with Rehan Ahmed, who made 54. Ahmed reached his half-century from 86 balls before edging Dillon Pennington to first slip. Hull then added 94 for the fourth wicket with Hamza Shaikh as Leicestershire continued to frustrate the defending champions.

There were chances along the way. Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne dropped Hull on 44, and Pennington could only get fingertips to a low return chance when the batter was on 90. Pennington eventually dismissed Hull three runs short of a maiden century, trapping him in front after the long innings had begun to take its toll.

Pennington finished the day with 4-42 from 19 overs, having also taken both Leicestershire wickets on the previous evening. Nottinghamshire's attack was affected when Brett Hutton suffered an injury and was replaced at tea by 20-year-old seamer Tom Giles. Making his first-class debut, Giles dismissed Nick Kelly and Stephen Eskinazi to record 2-26 from 11 overs.

Leicestershire remained 52 runs short of the total needed to avoid the follow-on at stumps. The match carries significance at both ends of Division One: Nottinghamshire are defending the title, while Leicestershire are involved in a relegation fight. With one day remaining after rain removed most of the opening day, Nottinghamshire still needed three first-innings wickets before deciding whether a follow-on opportunity could be used.