Patel's Century Earns Leicestershire Tie with Northamptonshire

Leicestershire and Northamptonshire played out a thrilling tie in the Vitality Blast at Wantage Road, with Rishi Patel's blistering century for the Foxes matching David Willey's impressive knock for the Steelbacks.

Patel, the Blast's leading run-scorer, smashed 104 from just 45 balls, equaling the Foxes' fastest ever T20 century. His onslaught propelled Leicestershire to a competitive 208 for 7, despite Raphy Weatherall's 4 for 50 for Northamptonshire.

Willey, celebrating his 300th career T20 game, led the Steelbacks' charge with a top score of 71 from 48. He became the first player to pass 4,000 runs in the format for Northamptonshire. Matthew Breetzke (47) and Sikandar Raza (36 not out) also contributed to the home side's total of 208 for 5.

In reply, Patel dominated the Leicestershire innings, hitting 18 runs off Willey's first over and forming a 61-run opening partnership with Sol Budinger. He reached his half-century in just 22 deliveries and continued to punish the Northamptonshire bowlers, reaching his century with a six off Ben Sanderson.

However, Weatherall pegged the Foxes back with three quick wickets, including Patel's dismissal for 104. Peter Handscomb (43) and Ben Cox (10) kept Leicestershire in the hunt, but Weatherall struck again to leave the Foxes needing five runs from the last ball.

Lewis Goldsworthy's outside edge flew to the boundary off Weatherall's final delivery, securing a tie for Leicestershire.

Tags: #VitalityBlast, #Leicestershire, #Northamptonshire, #RishiPatel, #DavidWilley