Louis Kimber confirms promise as half-century leads Leicestershire revival

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Daryl Mitchell falls cheaply in final first-class appearance but Worcestershire edge first day

Louis Kimber confirmed his promise with another half century to lead a partial Leicestershire fightback on the opening day of the LV=Insurance County Championship Division Three match with Worcestershire at New Road.

The 24-year-old earned his opportunity to play Championship cricket for the first time after some impressive performances during the latter stages of the Royal London Cup.

He followed up his unbeaten 59 against Sussex at the Uptonsteel County Ground by helping the Foxes to recover from 133 for 6 to 222 all out in 82.3 overs.

Worcestershire lost opener Daryl Mitchell, playing his final match before retiring, for eight but Jake Libby had time to complete 1,000 runs for the summer as his side closed on 30 for 1.

Kimber top-scored with 71 from 150 balls with one six and 10 boundaries before he fell to Worcestershire club captain, Joe Leach, with the first delivery of the second new ball. He signed his first professional contract in May and has been studying for a Masters in Marketing at Loughborough University.

Leach continued his recent good form with 3 for 38 from 17.5 overs while young spinner Josh Baker again demonstrated his potential with 2 for 31 from 20 overs.

It was a good cricket wicket with enough encouragement for the seamers if they put the ball in the right areas and showing early signs of turn but also with enough pace to allow batsmen to play their shots.

Leicestershire handed a debut to Sam Bates after regular keeper Harry Swindells and Sam Evans were forced to self isolate. Leach took the new ball for Worcestershire in his final official match as club captain and struck in his second over.

Hassan Azad pushed forward and nicked through to Mitchell who held a sharp catch away to his right at second slip. Leach could have picked up a second wicket when Rishi Patel on 14 was dropped by Mitchell but it did not prove costly.

Ed Barnard came into the attack for Leach and his fourth ball accounted for Patel, who lofted a catch straight to Leach at mid-off.

Pennington returned to the attack and George Rhodes attempted to leave the ball but only succeeded in edging through to Jack Haynes at first slip, much to his annoyance.

Lewis Hill looked in good touch after overcoming an early leg before appeal by Charlie Morris as Leicestershire reached 88 for 3 from 31 overs at lunch. He advanced to 40 from only 65 balls but then his downfall when play resumed was the catalyst for a flurry of wickets.

Hill went for an expansive drive against Barnard and provided Haynes with his second catch at first slip. Baker settled into a good line and length and struck in successive overs to reduce Leicestershire to 133 for 6.

Ben Mike took one pace down the wicket to Baker but only picked out Libby at mid-off and then debutant Bates, 0, popped up a catch at Haynes at short leg.

Morris gained some tangible reward for his efforts when he bowled Ed Barnes, 13, with a delivery angled back into him. The second new ball brought a swift end to the Leicestershire innings with the last three wickets falling in the space of 15 deliveries.

Leach trapped Kimber lbw and bowled Chris Wright, two, while Callum Parkinson, 17, also went leg-before. Mitchell edged Wright to second slip but Libby, who reached 1,000 when on five, and nightwatchman Morris experienced few alarms through to the close.