Thornely aims to build on maiden ton

By Paul Bolton

Leicestershire newcomer Michael Thornely is delighted to have got a weight off his shoulders having made his maiden first-class century against Glamorgan in Cardiff.

Thornely, 24, was released by Sussex two years ago and has since played for the Unicorns in an attempt to attract interest from another county.

He has spent most of this season playing second team cricket for Leicestershire and a century against Warwickshire at Hinckley two weeks ago gave him his unexpected opportunity at Cardiff.

Thornely made 97 in the first innings and followed up with 131 in the second to help Leicerstershire bat out time for a draw. With Will Jefferson sidelined by a back injury, Thornely is now expected to be offered a retainer contract for the rest of the season.

“It’s a relief more than anything to get another opportunity in first-class cricket and it’s only really started to register what I managed to do,” Thornely said.

“When I was dismissed in the first innings I thought potentially the opportunity might have gone, but it  might have helped me for the second innings to give me the determination to bat for the same amount of time and keep going and get to the milestone for myself, but also to bat time out of the game to make sure we got the draw.

“It was great for me from a personal goal to finally get over the line having come close a couple of times now. I always knew I was capable of it, and it was just a case of doing it.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders, and unfortunately it’s taken a year or two longer than I thought it would. But to get the opportunity and take it was great. I think now I have proved that I am capable of it.

“I hope that other people will realise that I can do that and hoperfully I can go on and continue the form and consistently score the good runs that a professional batsman should.”



Date: 06/06/2012 11:05:03 by Paul Bolton
In: Today | Leicestershire |