Cricket

Ajinkya Rahane Signs with Leicestershire for County SeasonIndian batter Ajinkya Rahane has signed a deal to play for Leicestershire in the second half of the county season. The 36-year-old will be available for the club's One-Day Cup campaign and five County Championship matches.Rahane had initially agreed to join Leicestershire last summer but was recalled to India's Test team for the World Test Championship final. He subsequently toured the West Indies with the Test squad and did not play for the county in 2023."We are thrilled to welcome someone of Ajinkya's quality to Leicestershire," said Claude Henderson, the club's director of cricket. "It was unfortunate that his schedule didn't work out last year, but it's a massive boost to have him for the business end of this season."Rahane has a wealth of experience, having played 82 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is for India. He has scored over 13,000 runs in first-class cricket, including 41 centuries, and another 6,475 runs in List A matches.His arrival in mid-July will coincide with the expected departure of South African allrounder Wiaan Mulder for international duty. Rahane is expected to strengthen Leicestershire's defense of the One-Day Cup, which they won last September."I'm really excited to have another opportunity to come to Leicestershire," said Rahane. "I've built a strong rapport with Claude and Alfonso [Thomas, head coach], and I'm looking forward to playing for the club this summer."Rahane's signing is a significant boost for Leicestershire, who are currently third in Division Two of the County Championship. His experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to the team, and his batting prowess will provide a much-needed boost to their lineup.

Sussex emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Leicestershire at Hove, securing an 18-run victory despite a record-breaking performance from Leicestershire's Louis Kimber.Kimber, batting at number eight, produced an astonishing innings, scoring 243 runs off just 127 balls. His innings included 20 fours and 21 sixes, breaking Ben Stokes' Championship record of 17 sixes set in 2022. Kimber's onslaught included a remarkable 43-run over off England seamer Ollie Robinson, the highest number of runs scored in an over in the County Championship since 1998.Despite Kimber's heroics, Sussex's bowlers managed to restrict Leicestershire to 445 in their second innings, with Chris Coles and Jack Carson claiming three wickets each. Sussex had earlier declared their second innings on 296 for 6, with Tom Alsop scoring an unbeaten 81 and Jack Hunt contributing 65.Kimber's innings was a testament to his power and timing, as he cut, pulled, and drove the Sussex attack with ease. He offered a difficult chance on 17 to Alsop at slip, but the ball burst through his hands. Carson nearly held on to a ball struck with ferocious power over deep mid-wicket, but otherwise, Sussex's bowlers had little answer to Kimber's onslaught.Kimber's record-breaking innings was met with warm congratulations from both Sussex and Leicestershire players, as well as a standing ovation from the crowd. It was the third time in three years that a Leicestershire batter had scored a double hundred in this fixture.Despite Kimber's heroics, Sussex held on for a narrow victory, strengthening their position at the top of the second division. The match showcased the thrilling nature of the County Championship, with both teams producing memorable performances.

Ollie Robinson Concedes Record-Breaking 43 Runs in an Over in County ChampionshipOllie Robinson, the England fast bowler, etched his name into the history books on Wednesday when he conceded an astonishing 43 runs in a single over during a County Championship match between Sussex and Leicestershire.The incident occurred in the 59th over of Leicestershire's second innings, with the visitors chasing a daunting target of 464 runs. Louis Kimber, Leicestershire's number eight batter, was at the crease and had already reached his half-century.Robinson's over was a nightmare from the start. Kimber smashed two sixes and six boundaries, while Robinson overstepped three times, resulting in a two-run penalty for each no ball. The nine-ball over proved to be the most expensive in the 134-year history of the County Championship.Kimber reached his century with a boundary off Robinson's final delivery. Even when Robinson changed his angle by coming around the wicket, the batter remained unstoppable.Kimber's record-breaking innings came just two days after Shoaib Bashir had conceded 38 runs in an over during a county match between Surrey and Worcestershire. However, Robinson's feat has now eclipsed Bashir's record.Remarkably, Kimber was not even at the crease when the day's play began. He went into lunch unbeaten on 191 off just 92 deliveries, with Leicestershire requiring another 89 runs to secure victory.Robinson's record-breaking over is a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket. Even the best bowlers can have off days, and when they do, the consequences can be severe.

Sussex extended their lead over Leicestershire to 233 runs at the close of day two of their Vitality County Championship clash at Hove.Peter Handscomb continued his impressive form with a well-crafted 92, but Leicestershire's hopes of a competitive total were dashed by a late collapse, with left-armer Sean Hunt claiming four wickets in quick succession.Sussex, who had declared on 442, opted not to enforce the follow-on and lost two early wickets before stumps, leaving them on 66 for 2.Handscomb's innings was the cornerstone of Leicestershire's first-innings effort. The Australian opener shared a century stand with Wiaan Mulder (53) and looked set for a hundred of his own before falling to Hudson-Prentice.However, Hunt's introduction proved decisive. The left-armer removed Mulder, Louis Kimber, and Ben Mike in quick succession, before John Simpson took a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Scott Currie. Hunt completed his four-wicket haul by trapping Josh Hull leg before.Sussex's bowlers had earlier wrapped up the Foxes' first innings for 275. Ollie Robinson claimed three wickets, including the key scalp of Ian Holland, while Hunt finished with 4 for 70.In their second innings, Sussex lost Oli Carter and nightwatchman Jack Carson before the close. However, they remain in a strong position, with a substantial lead and two days remaining in the match.

Sussex's captain, John Simpson, continued his impressive form with a third century of the season, guiding his team to a commanding position against Leicestershire on the opening day of their Division Two County Championship match at Hove.Simpson, who has now scored over 500 runs in the competition, came to the crease with Sussex struggling at 34 for 3. However, he played a chanceless innings, hitting 29 fours from 251 deliveries to finish unbeaten on 180.Oli Carter also played a crucial role for Sussex, scoring 96 in an opening partnership of 156 with Simpson. Carter's innings included 15 fours and a six, and he was unlucky to miss out on a century when he was caught and bowled by Scott Currie.Leicestershire had won the toss and elected to field, but they were unable to make early inroads into the Sussex batting. Tom Haines was dropped on 0 by Currie, but Holland made amends by dismissing Haines and Tom Alsop in quick succession.James Coles was the third Sussex wicket to fall, but Simpson and Carter then took control of the innings. They put on 156 for the fourth wicket, and Sussex went on to score 197 runs in the afternoon session.Carter was eventually dismissed for 96, but Fynn Hudson-Prentice (26) and Jack Carson (25) made useful contributions. Nathan McAndrew finished unbeaten on 51 as Sussex closed on 431 for 7.Leicestershire's bowlers struggled throughout the day, with Holland the only one to take multiple wickets. The Foxes will need to improve their performance on day two if they are to have any chance of getting back into the match.

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.

Leicestershire's bowlers, led by Wiaan Mulder's exceptional performance, orchestrated a thrilling 10-run victory over Durham in a Vitality Blast encounter at Seat Unique Riverside. Despite posting a modest 140 for 8, Leicestershire's bowlers showcased their dominance, restricting Durham to 130 for 8.Opener Rishi Patel's 48 off 44 balls provided a solid foundation for Leicestershire's innings. However, England Test quick Matthew Potts' 3 for 20 kept the Foxes in check. Despite sluggish conditions, Durham remained confident of chasing down the target.Mulder's early wickets, including the dismissals of David Bedingham and Ollie Robinson, put Durham on the back foot. Ashton Turner's 49 and Graham Clark's unbeaten 53 kept Durham in contention, but the Foxes' bowlers continued to apply pressure.Josh Hull's final over proved decisive, as Durham fell short of the target by 17 runs. Leicestershire's third win of the campaign consigned Durham to their third defeat.

Durham's Alex Lees led his team to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Leicestershire Foxes in the Vitality Blast, securing their first win of the campaign.After Leicestershire posted a competitive 176 for 7, thanks to Ben Cox's 50 and Nathan Sowter's 3 for 23, Durham chased down the target with three balls to spare.Lees anchored the chase with an unbeaten 71 from 53 balls, including three sixes. He received support from David Bedingham (43) and Ashton Turner (22).Leicestershire's innings got off to a strong start with Rishi Patel's 35 off 17 balls, but they lost wickets in quick succession, slipping to 106 for 6. However, Cox and Sowter (23*) rescued the innings with a 70-run partnership.Durham's chase began steadily, with Lees and Bedingham putting on 83 runs for the second wicket. Bedingham's dismissal brought Turner to the crease, who contributed 22 before being bowled by Scott Currie.With six runs needed off the final over, Ollie Robinson hit a boundary to seal the victory for Durham.The Foxes' bowling was hampered by 20 extras, including nine wides, which proved costly in the end.

Glamorgan's bowlers put in a commendable performance on the third day of their Vitality County Championship match against Leicestershire, restricting the visitors to 343 for 9 declared and taking a 58-run lead with nine wickets in hand.Despite resuming the day on 280 for 5, Leicestershire lost centurion Peter Handscomb early on. Nightwatchman Scott Currie showed resilience, falling just short of a half-century. Timm van der Gugten, making his season debut after injury, impressed with a five-wicket haul.Glamorgan's reply began with a setback as Billy Root was dismissed for one. However, rain intervened, forcing an early end to the day's play with the home side on 14 for 1.The morning session was curtailed by rain, with only eight overs possible. Handscomb added just one run to his overnight score before being dismissed by Van der Gugten. Leicestershire's subsequent batting approach puzzled observers, as they showed little urgency in chasing batting bonus points.Despite Glamorgan's tight bowling, Leicestershire managed to add only 26 runs in the 17 overs after lunch. Van der Gugten then produced a brilliant caught-and-bowled to remove Ben Cox and bowled Ben Mike to complete his five-for.Leicestershire's declaration, conceding a 44-run lead, raised eyebrows. Glamorgan lost Root early in their second innings, but the rain returned, forcing an early end to the day.