Can Foxes strike down Lightning?
Tue 7 Jul 2015
Leicestershire Foxes have been involved in two tight NatWest T20 Blast games at Grace Road recently – and a look back at previous meetings suggests that Friday night’s game against Lancashire Lightning will be another close encounter.
Abdul Razzaq’s sensational innings, where he scored 62 not out from 30 balls, got the Foxes home with a ball to spare at Old Trafford in 2011.
At Finals Day that year a six off the last ball by Gareth Cross tied the match after Duckworth-Lewis had come into play and Will Jefferson’s heroics then sealed a super over win for the Foxes.
The group game in 2013 was also a tie as last man Mitchell McClenaghan struck a four off the last ball at Grace Road.
With three needed at Leicester back in 2006, Steven Croft hit the last ball of the game for six and the all-rounder snatched another win at the death for his side in May.
The weather caused the game to be reduced to 15 overs and that affected the team as Kevin O'Brien and Grant Elliott were going well before rain arrived after 11.2 overs. Leicestershire ended up putting 131-7 on the board and Lancashire were set 140 on D-L.
Lightning entered the last over needing 10 runs and scored eight off the first five deliveries. Croft carved the final ball backward of point for four to seal the two points for his side.
In 2014, the Foxes needed a six to win off the last ball at Old Trafford but the ball was missed and a run out meant that the team lost by four runs.
Nothing splits the Foxes and Lightning this year with both teams on ten points, and a win would be the perfect start to a weekend that includes a game against another side on that total in Northants at Wantage Road (Sunday, 2.30pm start).
With victory crucial for the Foxes, will Friday night’s clash between the two sides come down to the last ball again? Be here at Grace Road to find out.
Advanced tickets are £16 for adults or £3 for under 16s. Tickets bought on match day will be £20 for adults and £3 for under 16s. You can book online HERE or call 0116 245 2401.
