Cricket

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 Foxes pulled off a stunning 20-run victory over Yorkshire Vikings at Headingley, defending a modest total of 166 to secure their fourth win in the Vitality Blast.The Foxes' innings got off to a solid start, with opener Rishi Patel leading the charge with a well-crafted 64 off 47 deliveries. However, Yorkshire's bowlers kept the pressure on, with Jafer Chohan and Dan Moriarty claiming two wickets each.In response, Yorkshire's star-studded batting lineup looked poised to chase down the target comfortably. Adam Lyth and Dawid Malan put on a 45-run opening stand, but the Foxes' bowlers staged a remarkable fightback.Left-arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy and pacer Scott Currie proved to be the architects of Yorkshire's collapse. Goldsworthy dismissed England captain Joe Root for 30, while Currie accounted for Shan Masood for 14.The wickets continued to tumble, with Goldsworthy and Currie sharing six wickets between them. Yorkshire's hopes were pinned on Donovan Ferreira, but he was caught behind off Currie for 22.In the end, Yorkshire finished on 146 for 9, falling short of the target by 20 runs. The Foxes' victory propelled them into the top four of the North Group, while Yorkshire suffered their third defeat of the campaign.

Leicestershire's batters, led by Rishi Patel and Scott Currie, fought valiantly to save the game on the third day of the Vitality County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Grace Road.Patel, with his first century of the season, and Currie, playing as a nightwatchman, batted throughout the morning without being parted. Patel, who resumed on 51, played a series of glorious straight drives before reaching his century off 203 deliveries. Currie, meanwhile, remained unmoveable, defending his wicket with solid determination.After lunch, Patel was bowled by Matt Taylor, but Currie remained unbeaten in the afternoon session, reaching a maiden first-class half century. However, Gloucestershire maintained their hopes of enforcing victory on the final day by taking four wickets after tea.Cox was leg before to Middleton, Currie was given leg before to Taylor, and Mike missed a slog at a Price delivery which turned and hit off stump. Price then dismissed Hull leg before to end Leicestershire's innings.In their second innings, Leicestershire openers Patel and Marcus Harris saw the home side through to the close without being parted after Gloucestershire enforced the follow on.Patel's century and Currie's maiden half century were the highlights of a determined batting display by Leicestershire. However, Gloucestershire will need all ten wickets in Leicestershire's second innings to secure victory.

Leicestershire's batters showcased their prowess on day one of their Division Two match against Sussex, amassing a formidable 326 for eight at the close of play. Despite losing the toss and being put into bat on a green-tinged pitch, the Foxes displayed resilience and determination.Rishi Patel, the 2023 county player-of-the-year, led the charge with a fluent 87, peppering the boundary with 12 fours and two sixes. Australia's Peter Handscomb contributed a steady 51, while all-rounder Liam Trevaskis remained unbeaten on 82 in his county debut.Sussex's bowlers struggled to make consistent inroads, despite having the home side reeling at 63 for three midway through the morning session. Fynn Hudson-Prentice emerged as the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 50 runs.Patel, who narrowly missed out on an England Lions call-up earlier this year, showcased his elegant shot-making and aggressive mindset. He reached his half-century in just 59 deliveries, but his innings was cut short when he gloved a catch to John Simpson off Danny Lamb's bowling.Trevaskis, making his debut for Leicestershire, provided solid support for Handscomb and helped rebuild the innings after the Australian's dismissal. He played with composure and determination, adding 65 for the fifth wicket with Handscomb and 49 with Ben Cox.Sussex's bowlers toiled hard but were unable to break through the Leicestershire resistance consistently. Hudson-Prentice picked up a third wicket late in the day, while Tom Clark, the opening bat, claimed a wicket with his part-time medium pace.With no Rehan Ahmed or Chris Wright in the Leicestershire lineup, the Foxes will hope that Trevaskis can also contribute with the ball. The left-arm spinner has a point to prove after limited opportunities with Durham and will be eager to make an impact in his new surroundings.