JIGAR Naik’s five-wicket haul helped Dorset dismiss Herefordshire for 262 on the first day of their Minor Counties Championship clash at Colwall yesterday.
Naik followed up his 10-wicket return in last month’s defeat by Wiltshire with another impressive showing with the ball – and was also pivotal in a run-out.
However, the loss of Ed Ellis, Luke Webb and Michael Porter at the start of the Dorset reply left the Western Division contest delicately poised with the visitors closing on 52 for three.
Former Leicestershire all-rounder Naik struck early to remove Benny Ellis before trapping Peter Burgoyne (60) in front to leave the hosts on 119 for four.
And after Mark Wolstenholme had claimed the wicket of Ian Bullock without further addition, Naik castled Taylor Pugh to leave Herefordshire struggling on 123 for six.
But a seventh-wicket stand 108 between Jack Taylor (41) and Barney Morgan (68) saw them progress to 231 with Naik breaking the partnership when he took a return catch to account for Taylor.
A smart piece of fielding saw Naik run out Morgan before he trapped Jamie McIlroy in front to wrap up Herefordshire’s first innings after Wolstenholme had Tom Hage well caught by Ellis.
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