Foxes and Falcons suffer T20 abandonment
Sat 11 Aug 2018
RESULT | Vitality Blast game 13: Leicestershire Foxes 103-4 v Derbyshire Falcons - no result
SCORECARD | Available through ESPN Cricinfo
REACTION | Ateeq Javid was interviewed at the end of the game
HIGHLIGHTS | In-play highlights are available throughout the 2018 season
POINTS | Derbyshire Falcons 1, Leicestershire Foxes 1
REPORT | The Vitality Blast qualification hopes of Leicestershire Foxes and Derbyshire Falcons were left hanging by a thread after an abandonment in their penultimate North Group game at the 3aaa County Ground.
The Foxes posted 103 for four in the 14.3 overs that were possible on a miserable evening in the East Midlands after captain Colin Ackermann (24*, 21b) and Ateeq Javid (28*, 25b) shared an unbroken 53 for the fifth wicket.
Although there is still a mathematical possibility of four or five teams ending in fourth place on 13 points, Notts Outlaws and Yorkshire Vikings are both on 12 points, and still have to play one another.
So in theory, one of those teams will reach a minimum of 14 points. Even if their meeting is tied or abandoned as a no result, both counties have a further match to play, and possess a better net run rate than the Foxes.
A sharp shower delayed the toss slightly, and when it was conducted, the Falcons won it and elected to bowl. The Foxes named an unchanged side from the terrific win against Worcestershire Rapids, and the game started five minutes after the scheduled start.
Neil Dexter sent the first ball rocketing through mid-wicket for four and also guided Ravi Rampaul through backward point in a promising first over, while Harry Swindells produced a delightful pull to open his boundary account.
Dexter (15, 10b) played a similar stroke to send Lockie Ferguson to the fence, but the New Zealand quick gained revenge when the opener lobbed the next ball to Matt Critchley at cover point.
Cracking strokes over mid-on at backward point brought Swindells (15, 14b) another brace of fours, but the young opener perished looking for another, striking Ravi Rampaul to Billy Godleman at deep mid-wicket.
Ferguson went through his repertoire of deliveries in the sixth over, bowling a quick yorker and bouncer, and also a clever full slower delivery. Raine had to be on his mettle - and the left-hander also bisected two fielders at backward point and cover point as the score moved to 44 for two.
A fearsome pull from Raine sent a short Hardus Viljoen delivery to the boundary before Mark Cosgrove (4, 6b) was caught behind by Gary Wilson off a similar ball from the paceman.
Another ball that was short in length from Alex Hughes claimed the fourth wicket as Raine (10, 13b) struck to Calum MacLeod at deep mid-wicket, the fielder completing a smart piece of work on the boundary edge.
Ackermann and Javid regrouped to take the score to 62 for four at halfway, and the skipper clipped a welcome boundary in the 11th over as Viljoen strayed into the pads.
Runs were generally difficult to come by in a difficult situation for the batsmen; there was an increasing amount of rain in the air, and some good fast bowling in gloomy conditions.
Javid broke the shackles with a switch hit for four followed by a booming off-drive that cleared the ropes as 14 came off the 14th, but the weather had now got considerably worse.
Umpires Jeremy Lloyds and Mike Burns had little option but to take the players off at 8.04pm. The rain did not relent, and with a mop-up operation unable to be completed before the cut off time, both teams had to settle for a point apiece.
At this point, there is a still a mathematical possibility that the team can get through, so the Foxes will need to win their final game against Northants Steelbacks at the Fischer County Ground on Friday, and hope that several other results go their way before then.
But to underline how narrow the margin for error is, a win for the Outlaws at Worcestershire Rapids tomorrow afternoon would eliminate both the Foxes and the Falcons from the competition. It made the abandonment all the more frustrating.
TEAM | Dexter, Swindells, Cosgrove, Raine, Ackermann (capt), Javid, Nabi, Eckersley (wk), Chappell, Parkinson, Griffiths
FIGURES | Leicestershire Foxes did not bowl
PHOTO | Thanks to Ed Melia for the photo of Ateeq Javid in the field
* Our final Vitality Blast home game is against Northants Steelbacks on Friday, August 17! The best value tickets are available in advance – a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 under 16s is available for £37 in advance of the fixture. Secure your seat at the Fischer County Ground today HERE
