Ben Slater Hits Magnificent 178 as Nottinghamshire Dominate Leicestershire

A Commanding Start for Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire laid down a serious marker on the opening day of their Rothesay County Championship clash against regional rivals Leicestershire. Led by a sublime 178 from opener Ben Slater, the 2025 champions dismantled the home side’s bowling attack to close the day in a position of total control at 405 for four.

Despite winning the toss and opting to bowl on a pitch that promised assistance for the seamers, Leicestershire found the going tough. While Ben Green offered some resistance with three for 88, the visitors’ batting lineup proved far too resilient for the Foxes’ attack.

The Slater Masterclass

Ben Slater was the undeniable star of the show. The 34-year-old left-hander showcased his full range of strokes, particularly his cutting and driving, as he struck 24 boundaries throughout his innings. This performance marked his 16th first-class century, a testament to his consistency and class at the top of the order. Having previously scored centuries against Leicestershire for Derbyshire and even for Leicestershire while on loan in 2020, Slater seems to have a particular fondness for this fixture.

Slater’s ability to anchor the innings allowed his partners to play with freedom. He reached his third half-century of the season in just 68 balls, and despite a period of caution while navigating the nervous nineties, his hunger for runs remained evident throughout his 247-ball vigil.

Duckett and Clarke Provide Crucial Support

While Slater dominated the headlines, the contributions from Ben Duckett and Joe Clarke were equally vital in shifting the momentum firmly into Nottinghamshire’s favor. Duckett, fresh from a good touch against Warwickshire, looked in sublime form. His aggressive approach against the Leicestershire bowlers—highlighted by three consecutive crisp straight drives—was a treat to watch. Duckett moved to his fifty in just 52 balls before ultimately falling for 77 to the spin of Ajaz Patel, a missed opportunity for a century that looked well within his grasp.

Joe Clarke continued his excellent run of form, moving past 500 runs for the season and ending the day unbeaten on 80. His partnership with Slater ensured that Leicestershire had no respite, as the duo piled on the misery for the home side’s depleted attack.

Leicestershire’s Day of Frustration

For Leicestershire, the day was one of deep frustration. Having hoped for early breakthroughs after winning the toss, the bowlers were often too generous with their line and length. The task became significantly harder when Scotland international Josh Davey, who has already struggled with fitness this season, was forced to leave the field after an awkward fall. The reliance on an injury substitution during the final session only added to the woes of the hosts.

Ben Green was the lone bright spot for the bowling unit, consistently challenging the batters and eventually removing both Slater and nightwatchman Olly Stone. However, with the scoreboard reading 405 for four, Leicestershire will need a monumental effort on the second morning to restrict Nottinghamshire and keep their own aspirations in the match alive.

Looking Ahead

As the players head into the second day, the pitch at Upstonsteel Grace Road is likely to offer more for the bowlers if they can find the right areas. Nottinghamshire will look to push toward a score in excess of 500 to effectively bat Leicestershire out of the game. For the Foxes, the priority will be to wrap up the tail quickly and hope their own top order can withstand what will surely be a fierce challenge from the Nottinghamshire seamers.

It was a day that truly highlighted the gulf between the two sides as things stand, with Nottinghamshire showing exactly why they are the reigning champions. For cricket fans, it was a day of high-quality batting that served as the perfect start to this East Midlands showdown.