As the dust settles on Glamorgan\'s defeat in their first Specsavers County Championship game, we look back at four things we\'ve learned from the opening fixture,
The SSE SWALEC pitch provides a good balance between bat and ball
This match saw all four innings take place and finished at around 2pm on Day Four, with totals ranging from Leicestershire’s 427 in the first innings, to Glamorgan’s 191 all out in their second innings, proving that – if bowlers put it in the right place – there was plenty of assistance for both bat and ball in this Cardiff pitch.
Niall O’Brien, Graham Wagg and Clint McKay all played free-flowing knocks and the big Australian bowler also took 6 wickets. The pitch provided four days of entertaining cricket.
Hogan and Wagg will come good
Despite taking four wickets between them in this match, Glamorgan’s opening bowlers have plenty of County Championship experience and pedigree, meaning it won't be long before they start firing this season.
Hogan took 48 wickets in Championship cricket last season and Wagg was just three behind on 45. Derby – where it is expected to be fairly cold and offer more swing for fast bowlers – could be the perfect place for the pair to get plenty of wickets under their belts.
Aneurin Donald is an exciting young cricketer
After being bowled by Clint McKay for one in the first innings and coming to the crease with Glamorgan in a spot of bother at 29/3 in the second, 19-year-old Donald played with confidence and maturity for an exhilarating 57 off 87 balls.
His innings included 7 fours and saw him play the Leicestershire bowlers to all parts. His run-out mix-up with David Lloyd was unfortunate, but seeing as though Donald was a late call-up to the team following Colin Ingram’s knee injury, he applied himself well in this match.
McKay holds the key for a much-improved Leicestershire team
The 33-year-old Australian, who has played 59 ODIs for his country, showed all his experience in guiding Leicestershire to a win in this match. He took six first innings wickets to reduce Glamorgan to 348 when the hosts might have reached 400 or more, and then smashed a quick-fire 65 to give his team a crucial first innings lead. McKay then got rid of James Kettleborough and Will Bragg in quick succession to leave Glamorgan 16/2 in their second innings.
The Australian really was the difference between the two teams and if Leicestershire are to challenge at the top of the table, his performances will be imperative.