McDonald philosophical ahead of Pears test

Elite Performance Director Andrew McDonald said the team is looking at the positives ahead of tomorrow’s Royal London One-Day trip to Worcestershire despite another frustrating weekend of weather.

The NatWest T20 Blast game at Lancashire Lightning saw almost half of the game lost to rain and a subsequent defeat on the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Leicestershire was then disappointed not to get the chance to try to pick up their first victory in the Royal London One-Day Cup as the game at Northants was washed out.

McDonald is philosophical about the situation and felt that Sunday’s outcome was not too damaging because tomorrow’s opponents were the only team to pick up two points despite a full scheduled programme of fixtures in the north section.

The Rapids lead the NatWest T20 Blast and their strong start in that competition was a help at Durham on Sunday. Worcestershire landed a convincing seven-wicket verdict in a match reduced to 22 overs per side to move up to third in the Royal London One-Day Cup table.

The Pears also sit fourth in the Specsavers County Championship despite not bowling a ball in their first fixture against Kent. Worcestershire’s SCC victory came at the Fischer County Ground so McDonald is well aware of the challenge they present.

He said: “We got a little bit of a reality check against Warwickshire, who are a solid side. We came to Northants hoping we'd get some good play in but it wasn’t to be. We’re now hoping the weather is better for our game at Worcestershire.

“Although we had our opportunities in the Specsavers County Championship game here against Worcestershire, they played some very good cricket and are a quality outfit, so it will be a good test for us.

“Initially we looked at four wins in the 50-over competition as being key. If you win half of your games in this format, I think you'll get through to the quarter-finals.

“So what does Sunday’s ‘draw’ mean to us? Does it mean that with the rest of the country maybe missing out on results, maybe three-and-a-half wins will be enough? Maybe we need to win three out of the last five?

“Who knows how it's all going to unfold, the only thing we can do is concentrate on playing good cricket and winning games in the style of cricket that we want to play.

“I think that we're process-driven in terms of what we deliver out there, so the results will take care of themselves if we can get some cricket in.”

There is an adjustment to Leicestershire’s squad ahead of the game as key all-rounder Kevin O’Brien is unavailable due to international commitments with Ireland.

Tom Wells was added to the squad ahead of the trip to Northamptonshire so the Foxes will travel to New Road with 14 players, including Cameron Delport.

The left-hander was initially going to play in NatWest T20 Blast but an opportunity has also presented itself in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

McDonald said: “At the moment, with Niall [O'Brien] being injured, it has freed up a left-hander's spot, in particular in that middle order. Cameron made himself available for the 50-over stuff too, so with a player of his quality, we brought him straight into the squad.

“I suppose it's like anyone, if Cameron’s up and firing he's selected, if not he may miss out here and there, but at the moment we feel he's up and firing and part of our squads in both white ball competitions.”

Foxes (from): Pettini (capt), Dexter, Robson, Horton, Cosgrove, Hill (w/k), Delport, Eckersley, Ali, Taylor, Wells, Raine, McKay, Naik.