Leicestershire Foxes served up a brilliant team performance to beat the mighty Nottinghamshire Outlaws by 7 wickets. Until now, the Outlaws were undefeated in the T20 campaign and had only lost once in the YB40 this year. So something special was going to be needed to even considering beating them; and last night certainly was special as Graceland became dreamland. A crowd of over 3,000 people witnessed a performance that brought back memories of that successful T20 campaign of 2011.
Youngster Shiv Thakor took a great low running catch to dismiss Michael Lumb. Thakor then went on bowl a spell that had immense control and a maturity well beyond his 19 years. Coming on to bowl the last 4 overs of the innings, Thakor took 3-30 and helped contain Notts to 158 for 6 from their 20 overs.
Tight bowling from Leicestershire's captain Josh Cobb and overseas player Shakib Al Hasan also helped Leicestershire's cause. Just as Thakor showed control and maturity with the ball, Cobb demonstrated the same with the bat. Cobb took the responsibility of playing the anchor role and went on to make 67 not out from 52 balls and batted through the entire innings.
In previous matches, Leicestershire have been guilty of wanting to whack very ball out of the ground and becoming unstuck. But Cobb mixed his 7 fours and a six with an array of delicate shots and picking up singles. Cobb's anchor role allowed Al Hasan to tee off. The BPL Dhaka Gladiators teammates put on unbeaten partnership of 67 from 43 balls.
Al Hasan's 43 not out from 21 balls was his first real success for the Foxes with the bat. The highlight being 2 consecutive sixes from the last 2 balls of a Graham White over. Al Hasan's 43 included 3 fours and 3 sixes. Cobb and Al Hasan's different batting styles made it a very dangerous and productive combination for Leicestershire.
Just as the sun was shining on Grace Road, lady luck was also shining on Leicestershire as some very average fielding by Nottinghamshire saw them drop at least 3 catches.
Just as the sun was shining on Grace Road, lady luck was also shining on Leicestershire as some very average fielding by Nottinghamshire saw them drop at least 3 catches.
Cobb hammered the ball for a boundary in the 18th over to bring up the victory. Hopefully, the nature of the win and the support of the crowd will boost Leicestershire. They have a foot on the first rung of the ladder of success. Let's hope the rest of the T20 campaign sees Leicestershire climb that ladder.
The only disappointment for Leicestershire was that Jigar Naik suffered a dislocated shoulder whilst fielding off his own bowling. This is will a real blow to Leicestershire. After Naik missed most of last season with an ankle injury, this will be a bitter pill to swallow for the spinner. However, Naik has come back so strongly this season after his last injury, I have every confidence he will come back even stronger after this latest setback.
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