First game under the lights!
Tue 17 May 2016
Leicestershire Foxes played a T20 intra-squad game at the Fischer County Ground in the first game played under our permanent floodlights.
It was an excellent workout for the players ahead of Friday night’s NatWest T20 Blast opener against Northants Steelbacks and the ground looked a picture.
The two teams of twelve players were captained by white ball skipper Mark Pettini and vice-captain Clint McKay respectively and were named as follows:
Team Pettini: Pettini (capt), Cosgrove, K O’Brien, N O’Brien (w/k), Wells, Raine, Eckersley, White, Naik, Sykes, Sheikh, Grant
Team McKay: Robson, Ali, Akmal, Horton, Dexter, Hill (w/k), Burgess, Taylor, McKay (capt), Tillcock, Sayer, Read.
A rule was agreed that if a batsman was out for under 10, he could have another chance at the wicket. Team McKay won the toss and made 191-9 with three batsmen batting twice.
Overseas star Umar Akmal played the lead role for Team McKay, making a sparkling 51 off 27 deliveries including four fours and three maximums. Angus Robson struck 26 and Neil Dexter scored 20.
Lewis Hill (25 - 4 & 21) and Michael Burgess (26 - 3 & 23) were two of the batsmen to have two knocks and both unleashed some fine strokes. Burgess played some terrific improvised shots to give the innings some late impetus.
Ben Raine claimed 3-29 from four overs while Tom Wells and Wayne White took two wickets apiece, and James Sykes and Kevin O’Brien picked up one wicket each.
In reply, the batsmen again looked in good form as they set about chasing a big total. Pettini played well in posting 53 while Kevin (27) and Niall O’Brien (37 - 6 & 31) also scored freely, the latter after being bowled by Rob Sayer.
Team McKay kept the pressure on and after good overs from the captain and Dexter, a target of 26 off 18 deliveries became 18 off the last over.
Tom Wells played a gem of an innings to see his side home. The all-rounder ended on 40 not out off just 21 deliveries with a quartet of fours and two sixes.
Wells took 17 off the first four balls of the last over through a six, a brace of fours and a three before Ned Eckersley hit the winning boundary through the covers.
Wickets were shared among the attack with Sayer and Rob Taylor claiming two apiece, and Dexter (4-0-24-1), Aadil Ali and McKay also getting on the scorecard. There were also two run outs in a final score of 195-9.
* Tickets are selling quickly for the Northants Steelbacks game and supporters are advised to buy in advance HERE - tickets are available for just £15 adults, £10 concessions and £5 for under 16s when brought before midnight on Thursday.
