Jack White was back on the field for the first time this season as he turned out for the 2XI on Day 1 of their friendly against Loughborough UCCE.
White, who took 50 wickets in last season’s County Championship, has missed the start of the season due to a foot injury but is edging closer to making a return to competitive cricket.
White only bowled four overs on the first day as his workload continues to be managed but James Sales and Alex Russell took three wickets apiece on a entertaining first day at Overstone Park.
Loughorough won the toss and elected to bat first on a beautiful spring day in Northampton, with Meadows and Weston opening up.
Michael Finan opened the bowling and struck with his fourth ball, bowling Meadows for a four ball duck.
Pistorius and Weston didn’t let the quick start impact them and they looked steady, building a 41-run partnership but Tommy Sturgess broke that partnership when bowled Pistorius for 15.
Weston saw two more of his partners go, with Sales removing Allinson and Miller trapping Gumbs in front in the 24th over, leaving Loughborough UCCE 84/4 at lunch.
Weston pushed for his half century but fell for 44 when Ravi Bopara bowled the opener. Sasirekha and Bowley then frustrated the 2XI by putting on a 114 run partnership, brining Loughborough up to 218/6 before Bowley was given lbw from the bowling of Alex Russell.
Russell also picked up the next two wickets, getting Griffin lbw for 9 then claiming the wicket of Sasirekha on 92 as he dragged one to Justin Broad on the leg side.
James Sales picked up his second and third wicket in the 81st over and Loughborough UCCE were all out for 293, a good recovery after finding themselves 76/4 earlier in the day.
George Hargrave and Arush Buchake started their innings in the same way as their eight wicket victory over Leicestershire 2XI, working through the final overs in the day to end on 46 without loss after 13 overs, trailing Loughborough’s first innings by 247.