Cricket

Leicestershire Foxes, the reigning Metro Bank One-Day Cup champions, edged past Hampshire by a thrilling three-wicket margin in a repeat of last year's final. The match, played at the Uptonsteel County Ground, saw a nail-biting finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Hampshire skipper Nick Gubbins led the charge for his team, scoring a magnificent 136 runs. Liam Dawson contributed a valuable 50, while Dominic Kelly's quickfire 39 off just 20 balls helped Hampshire post a competitive total of 290 for 8 from their 50 overs.Leicestershire's bowlers, led by Tom Scriven (3 for 61) and Chris Wright (2 for 49), kept the Hampshire batsmen in check, preventing them from reaching a higher score.In reply, Leicestershire's star duo of Peter Handscomb (74) and Ajinkya Rahane (70) formed a formidable partnership, sharing a 128-run stand for the fourth wicket. Their partnership kept Leicestershire in the hunt, but once they were dismissed, Hampshire sensed an opportunity to avenge their defeat in last season's final.John Turner emerged as Hampshire's bowling hero, taking 4 for 44. However, Liam Trevaskis (60* off 55 balls) and Ben Cox (45 off 50) put up a valiant fight for Leicestershire, adding 94 runs for the seventh wicket. Trevaskis' two sixes and four fours proved crucial in the chase.With just one ball remaining, Scriven hit the winning run, securing a thrilling victory for Leicestershire. The Foxes have now advanced to the next round of the competition, one step closer to retaining their title.

Leicestershire Foxes secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, booking their place in the quarter-finals. Chasing a revised target of 196 in a rain-affected match, the Foxes rode on a match-winning partnership of 120 between Ajinkya Rahane and Peter Handscomb.Rahane, who has been in impressive form this season, scored a composed 62 off 76 balls, while Handscomb remained unbeaten on 65 from 70 deliveries. The Australian all-rounder hit five fours and two sixes, showcasing his class and experience.Leicestershire's victory was set up by a disciplined bowling performance. Tom Scriven led the way with 3 for 37, while Liam Trevaskis and Alex Green claimed two wickets each. Gloucestershire struggled to build partnerships, with Cameron Bancroft's 36 being the highest individual score.Gloucestershire's bowlers made an early impact, reducing Leicestershire to 19 for 3. However, Rahane and Handscomb steadied the ship, gradually building their partnership and putting pressure on the home side.Rahane reached his half-century first, while Handscomb followed suit shortly after. The pair punished loose deliveries and took advantage of Gloucestershire's lack of seam options.Rahane's innings came to an end when he was caught at short extra cover off the bowling of Ben Smith. However, Louis Kimber's quickfire 28, including three sixes and a four, ensured that Leicestershire remained in control.With 14 balls to spare, Handscomb hit the winning runs, securing a memorable victory for the Foxes. They will now host Hampshire in the quarter-finals at Grace Road on Friday.

Leicestershire Foxes emerged victorious in their rain-affected Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash against Yorkshire Vikings at Scarborough, securing an eight-wicket win via the DLS method.Ian Holland played a pivotal role for the champions, contributing with both bat and ball. As an opening bowler, he claimed two wickets for 39 runs from 10 overs, dismissing Fin Bean and Shan Masood. Later, as an opener, Holland smashed 42 runs off 25 balls, setting the tone for Leicestershire's chase.Yorkshire, after being inserted to bat, posted a competitive 236 for 7 from 50 overs. Dom Bess and Matthew Revis played crucial innings, scoring 60 and 55 not out respectively. The pair shared a 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket, rescuing Yorkshire from a precarious 118 for 6.Leicestershire's bowlers, led by Holland, Tom Scriven, and Alex Green, restricted Yorkshire's scoring early on. They took four wickets in the first 25 overs, conceding only three boundaries during that period.In response, Leicestershire chased down the revised target of 150 from 22 overs with ease. Holland and Lewis Hill formed a formidable opening partnership, putting on 62 runs before Holland departed. Hill remained unbeaten on 71 off 54 balls, hitting four sixes. Ajinkya Rahane contributed 28 runs as Leicestershire sealed victory with 2.2 overs to spare.This win propelled Leicestershire into the top three places in Group B, while Yorkshire suffered their third loss in six fixtures.

Leicestershire Foxes continued their impressive run in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, securing a thrilling 10-run victory over Sussex Sharks at Hove. The Foxes' total of 363 for 7 proved just enough to hold off a valiant Sussex chase that fell just short.Australia's Peter Handscomb led the way for Leicestershire with a magnificent 119 from 80 deliveries, anchoring the innings and setting the platform for a formidable total. Sol Budinger (84) and Ian Holland (65) provided solid support at the top of the order, while Ajinkya Rahane contributed a valuable 68.Sussex, who had struggled for runs in previous matches, showed remarkable resilience in their pursuit of the target. Tom Haines (129) and John Simpson (85) forged a crucial 131-run partnership that brought Sussex within striking distance. Haines, in particular, played a blistering knock, hitting successive sixes off Liam Trevaskis on his way to his second List A century.However, the Foxes' bowlers managed to stem the flow of runs in the closing stages, with Ben Mike claiming the key wickets of Haines and Simpson. Despite a late surge from Sussex, Leicestershire held on for a hard-fought victory.The match was a testament to the depth and quality of both sides. Leicestershire's batting lineup proved too strong for Sussex, while the Sharks' bowlers showed great determination in their chase. The result leaves Leicestershire with three wins from four matches, while Sussex remain winless after five games.

Leicestershire Foxes secured a resounding seven-wicket victory over Essex Eagles in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, thanks to a brilliant century from Sol Budinger. The left-hander's 120 off 120 balls propelled the Foxes to their second win in three matches this season.Essex, batting first, posted a competitive 290 for 9, with Noah Thain's blistering 53 off 27 balls providing the impetus. Matt Critchley (55) and Charlie Allison (51) also contributed valuable runs. However, Leicestershire's bowlers, led by Tom Scriven (2-45) and Liam Trevaskis (2-52), kept the Eagles in check.In reply, Leicestershire's openers, Harry Swindells and Lewis Hill, got off to a solid start, putting on 70 runs before Hill was dismissed for 37. Budinger then joined forces with Ajinkya Rahane (37) to add 75 for the third wicket, putting the Foxes in a commanding position.Budinger continued to dominate the Essex attack, reaching his century with a boundary off Tom Westley. He eventually fell for 120, but his innings had set the platform for victory. Ben Cox (16) and Liam Trevaskis (10*) guided the Foxes home with 15 balls to spare.For Essex, Critchley took 3 for 55, but his efforts were in vain as the Eagles suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Leicestershire Foxes kicked off their Metro Bank One-Day Cup title defense with a thrilling victory over Notts Outlaws, despite a dramatic rain interruption.The Foxes posted an impressive 369 for 6, led by captain Lewis Hill's 81 and Sol Budinger's 75. Ajinkya Rahane, making his debut for Leicestershire, contributed a fluent 71. Ben Cox and Ben Mike provided a late surge with some big hitting.Nottinghamshire's chase was initially halted by rain, leaving them stranded on 50 without loss. After a two-and-a-half-hour delay, the Outlaws were given a revised target of 105 from 3.5 overs.The visitors attempted a daring strategy by retiring Ben Slater and Freddie McCann in favor of Jack Haynes and Tom Moores. However, Haynes was dismissed first ball, followed by Lyndon James. Liam Patterson-White and Matt Montgomery also fell cheaply.Moores briefly threatened with four boundaries in four balls off Ben Mike, but the Outlaws ultimately fell 16 runs short. Tom Scriven was the pick of the Leicestershire bowlers with 3 for 20.The Foxes' batting performance was a positive sign, with Budinger delivering a measured innings and Rahane showcasing his quality. The Indian Test star's dismissal to a wide full toss from James was a surprise, but Cox and Mike's late sixes provided a strong finish.James took three wickets for the Outlaws, but his expensive spell of 105 runs proved costly. Chris Wright, returning from suspension, bowled his first competitive overs of the season.

Birmingham Bears secured a resounding 72-run victory over Leicestershire Foxes at Edgbaston, securing the top spot in the Vitality Blast North Group final table. The Bears' triumph earned them a home quarter-final against Gloucestershire, while the Foxes' hopes of reaching the last eight were dashed on the final day.Moeen Ali's scintillating third T20 century, a blistering 103 off 59 deliveries, propelled the Bears to a formidable total of 194 for 5. Ali's innings was adorned with nine towering sixes and seven boundaries, lifting the Bears from a promising 99 without loss in the ninth over. However, the Foxes' bowlers, led by the economical Scott Currie (2 for 26) and Josh Hull (2 for 34), managed to restrict the Bears' scoring rate in the latter stages of the innings.The Foxes' batting lineup failed to match the Bears' firepower, collapsing to a meager 122 all out in 16.4 overs. Only Lewis Goldsworthy offered any resistance, scoring 35 runs. Craig Miles (2 for 12) dealt early blows to the Foxes' top order, while Danny Briggs (3 for 30) continued his impressive form, taking his tally in this season's competition to 27 wickets at an astonishing average of 12.81.The Bears' innings began with a blistering start, racing to 69 without loss after six overs. Moeen Ali's power-hitting was on full display, as he pulled two consecutive sixes off James Neesham in the final two balls of the powerplay. Ali reached his half-century in just 28 balls and celebrated with successive sixes off Goldsworthy.The Foxes' fightback began with the dismissal of Alex Davies, who was caught at long on by Ben Mike off Rehan Ahmed. Hull, Currie, and Louis Kimber bowled three economical overs, conceding only 11 runs and claiming the wickets of Dan Mousley and Chris Benjamin.Moeen Ali's innings was reignited by two sixes off Rehan, and he survived a missed stumping off Kimber on 92 to reach a 54-ball century. However, the Foxes' bowlers continued to apply pressure, with Mike conceding just four runs from the 18th over. Ali eventually holed out to Hull in the last over, and the Bears finished with a total of 194 for 5.The Foxes' chase was derailed by early wickets, with Sol Budinger, Rishi Patel, and Rehan Ahmed all falling cheaply. Peter Handscomb's dismissal to Briggs left the Foxes' top four all out in single figures. Briggs continued his wicket-taking spree, removing Neesham and Kimber, while Ed Barnard took a stunning catch to dismiss Goldsworthy.The Bears' victory secured their place in the knockouts, while the Foxes' campaign ended with a disappointing defeat.

Leicestershire Foxes secured a crucial three-wicket victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in a thrilling Vitality Blast encounter, keeping their quarter-final hopes alive.New Zealand allrounder Jimmy Neesham played a pivotal role for the Foxes, smashing a blistering 67 off just 34 deliveries. His innings included five boundaries and four maximums, providing the impetus for Leicestershire's successful chase of 184.Northamptonshire had earlier posted a competitive total of 183 for seven, thanks to contributions from Ravi Bopara (61) and Saif Zaib (50). However, Ben Mike's impressive bowling performance (3-17) restricted the Steelbacks in the latter stages of their innings.Leicestershire's chase got off to a flying start, with Sol Budinger hitting five sixes in his 25-ball 45. The Foxes reached 60 for one in the powerplay, but the Steelbacks fought back with three wickets in quick succession.Neesham and Louis Kimber then combined for a crucial 40-run partnership, keeping Leicestershire in the hunt. Despite losing Neesham with 10 runs still needed, Arron Goldsworthy and Mike guided the Foxes home with five balls to spare.The victory lifts Leicestershire to 12 points from 12 matches, keeping them in contention for a quarter-final berth in the North Group. The Steelbacks, who have one more match remaining, will be looking to secure a win in their final fixture to enhance their own chances of reaching the knockout stages.