Match Preview | T20 Blast | Bears | 4 July 2025

It’s back to Blast on Friday as Leicestershire battle the Bears under the Friday night lights at Uptonsteel County Ground.

Alfonso Thomas’ side enter the clash in fourth position in the North Group, having won their previous two games before the end of the opening block. Both matches were on Grace Road, meaning the Foxes are on their hottest ever home streak in T20 cricket, stringing together six consecutive wins.

The Bears arrive in Aylestone one place behind Leicestershire, taking victory by one wicket in the final over against fierce rivals Worcestershire at Edgbaston last time out.

Squad:

Three huge boosts for Leicestershire, as Rehan Ahmed, Josh Hull and Tom Scriven all return to the matchday squad. Hull “ who sustained a heel injury on England Lions duty last month “ is in line for his first T20 appearance of the summer.

Leicestershire Foxes: Ahmed, Budinger, Cox+, Hill, Hull, Kimber*, Masood, Patel, Salisbury, Scriven, Trevaskis, van Beek, Wood, Walker.

Famous Fixture:

Bears have been a bit of bogey team for Leicestershire in home T20s over the years, winning just one of nine meetings. But what a win it was, as Colin Ackermann made worldwide headlines with a record 7/18.

Batting first in front of the Sky cameras, Harry Swindells registered his maiden T20 fifty, crunching 63 at the top of the order. Lewis Hill also impressed, 58 from only 20 deliveries, as the Foxes reached 189 for six.

At 114/2, the Bears were on course to chase down the target. But Ackermann’s intervention was astonishing, as the all-rounder returned world-record figures of 4-0-18-7 to dismiss the visitors for 134.

Decisive Duel:

It looks like Leicestershire fans will get a look at Josh Hull in T20 action for the first time in 2025 on Friday evening. And what a massive boost that could be.

The towering talent returned 18 wickets at 24.11 in the Blast last year, taking responsibility with the new ball and at the death as the Foxes came within a win of the quarter-finals. A giant left-arm quick with skilful variations in his locker, Hull’s return could be the fuel to fire the Foxes to the knockout stages this time around.

One man Hull will hope to get early is opener Tom Latham. The New Zealand international, who is approaching 3,000 T20 runs, is leading the way for the Bears this campaign. With 242 runs, he’s averaging 30.25, while striking at 132.96. Capable of anchoring or exploding out of the traps, his wicket will be prized on Friday.

Tickets:

Tickets can be purchased in advance ONLINE, starting from just £7. Tickets on the gate can also be purchased via the Curzon Road entrance on the day.

Follow The Action:

Foxes TV will be the exclusive home of the live stream coverage for Friday’s battle. You can also keep across play through our match feed on X (@leicsccc), as well as updates on Instagram (@leicsccc) and Facebook (Leicestershire County Cricket Club).