Match Preview | County Championship | Lancashire | 23-26 May 2025

Momentum continues to build at Uptonsteel County Ground after Leicestershire recorded their third consecutive victory in Championship cricket for the first time since 1998 with a seven-wicket win at Middlesex on Sunday.

In so doing, the Foxes ended a 40-year drought for a red-ball victory at Lord’s and extended their lead at the top of Division Two to 30 points. They’ll have the chance to make it four in a row when Lancashire roll into town this week.

Pre-season favourites to bounce straight back to Division One, the Red Rose have struggled so far this campaign, sitting seventh with five draws and a defeat to their name. Jimmy Anderson’s return last time out was a timely boost, as the legendary bowler donned the whites for the first time since his Test swansong last July.

Squad:

One addition to the squad, as Alex Green “ fresh from his outing for the PCC Select XI against Zimbabwe’s Test stars last week “ joins the 13 who defeated Middlesex.

Leicestershire: Ahmed, Budinger, Cox+, A Green, B Green, Handscomb*, Hill, Holland, Hull, Patel, Scriven, Trevaskis, van Beek, Wright.

Last Time We Met:

There was huge frustration when the sides last met in April, as heavy downpours on the final day scuppered Leicestershire’s victory push and forced a draw.

Lancashire had been reduced to 11 for three in their second innings on the evening of day three, still trailing by 217 runs. The Foxes had to wait until 4pm the next day to get the ball back in their hands, with their prospects of victory all but over by that stage.

The game will still be fondly remembered by the likes of Rehan Ahmed and Peter Handscomb, who both scored sublime hundreds, while Tom Scriven registered his maiden first-class five-fer.

Fox to Watch:

Back fit and firing, Rishi Patel will be looking to emulate his previous outing on home soil when he faces Lancashire.

The opener scored the tenth ton of his career in the win over Northamptonshire at Uptonsteel County Ground three weeks ago, underlining the importance of his return to the side following a dislocated thumb on the opening day.

Since establishing himself as a red-ball regular at the top of the order two years ago, Patel has notched just shy of 2,000 first-class runs at an average of 38.52. If he gets a start this week, he could be set for another huge hundred on Grace Road.

Opposition Player to Watch:

A familiar face to many at Leicestershire, Marcus Harris has been electric so far this summer for his new club. In fact, nobody in the country has more runs than his 795.

The former Fox has adapted seamlessly to his fresh role as a number four, scoring three centuries in a struggling batting lineup during the opening six rounds.

Now with the added wait of captaincy following Keaton Jennings’ resignation, it remains to be seen whether the 32-year-old’s outstanding form will hold up.

Tickets:

Tickets for all four days, as well as car parking passes, can be purchased ONLINE from just £5. Tickets can also be bought on the gate from the Curzon Road entrance. Additionally, we are pleased to continue our ‘Free After Tea’ policy, granting free admission to all spectators for the final session each day.

Follow The Action:

Foxes TV will once again be the home of the Club’s live stream coverage for all four days. Supporters can also stay tuned to the Club’s social media channels for play-by-play updates and live reaction, while post-day reports will be available via the Club’s official website.