Hampshire CCC | One Day Cup Final Match Preview - 16/09/2023

22 years on from their last appearance in a List A final, Leicestershire will take to the field on Saturday looking to etch their names into Foxes folklore.

With eight wins from nine in the Metro Bank One Day Cup so far, and a host of club records shattered en route, Leicestershire are in a rich vein of form.

Standing between them and a first trophy in more than a decade, 2018 champions Hampshire, who thrashed Warwickshire in the semi-final to earn their place at Trent Bridge.

Last Time We Met:

The previous meeting between the two sides was little over a month ago at The Ageas Bowl, with Leicestershire picking up the points in a four-wicket win.

That was largely thanks to a masterful chase from Colin Ackermann, who steered the Foxes to victory with a calculated 93 not out from as many balls, aided by Sol Budinger and Lewis Hill half-centuries and priceless Louis Kimber and Tom Scriven cameos.

With the ball, Josh Hull impressed again with 4/57, his second of the competition.

In Focus:

After winning PCA MVP for the One Day Cup in 2022, Wiaan Mulder has had another campaign to remember this summer.

His 374 runs, posted at an average of 74.8, have been crucial to Leicestershire’s success in both setting and chasing big totals. His five half-centuries, including a vital 55 not out in the semi-final, is the joint-best record in the competition alongside teammate Peter Handscomb.

Taking the new ball, Mulder’s partnership with Chris Wright has been extremely effective. With 12 wickets, going at under five runs per over, his threat upfront is key to the Foxes’ chances.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Aneurin Donald’s firepower in the middle of the innings sets him apart from many others in the competition.

He’s made 343 runs at an average of 49, with a sublime strike rate of 127.99 “ showing his destructiveness if he’s allowed time at the crease.

The 26-year-old’s average is boosted by two hundreds in the competition, again showing the importance of getting him early. If he gets in, he goes big.

Squad:

The Foxes name a 15-strong squad for Saturday’s final, sticking with those that were available for the group stage. Peter Handscomb drops out having returned to Australia, while Harry Swindells and Roman Walker are added to the travelling party.

Leicestershire Foxes: Ackermann, Budinger, Davis, Evans, Hill*, Hull, Kimber, Mulder, Patel, Ramji, Salisbury, Scriven, Swindells, Walker, Wright.