Members' Story of the Week

My Favourite Leicestershire game - Oliver Hawke (Supporter “ 35 years)

In my 35 years as a Leicestershire supporter, I have seen numerous great games at Grace Road and away from home. Four day County Championship cricket is my favourite format, though I love one day cricket whether its 50 overs, T20 or 40 overs which sadly is no more. Whilst I have seen many a classic four day matches down the years, the ebb and flow of that format would take quite some to explain a classic game, so I've decided a one-day game it is.

On Sunday, May 26, 2013 Leicestershire played Somerset at Grace Road in the 40 over cup group stages. A glorious sunny day, saw a good crowd at Grace Road with a big Somerset following as expected travelling from the west country. A Somerset side which included the evergreen Marcus Trescothick and future England wicket keeper Jos Buttler batted first on a flat wicket which saw Somerset score 323, thanks to a century from Peter Trego and 57 from Marcus Trescothick - who was always a pleasure to watch.

Leicestershire knew straight away what was required of them and openers Josh Cobb and Greg Smith - only drafted in because Niall O'Brien was on Ireland duty, soon set about the task. Nobody quite expected a record Leicestershire List A opening partnership stand of 235 though. Total fluent batting, both keeping the ball on the ground well and finding those gaps in the field. Captain Cobb got 130 and Smith 135no, and amazingly they both only hit one maximum. After Cobb was out, Burns, Eckersley and Boyce came and went and whilst the job was still very much in Leicestershire’s hands, there was a certain caution amongst the Grace Road faithful as the score stood at 278-4 with 46 required. We need not have worried though as young Shiv Thakor soon set about helping Smith complete the job to see the Foxes home with 7 deliveries remaining.

It was a true classic one-day cricket match which saw nearly 650 runs scored, along with the weather the bank holiday weekend - and above all, a win for Leicestershire. It certainly set us supporters and players alike up well for another 40-over game against the Unicorns at Wormsley the following day which saw another Leicestershire win, and another century for Josh Cobb this time carrying his bat for 128. Glory days indeed.

This was a fantastically detailed story by one of our longest serving supporters and an active member of LCCC Oliver Hawke, who wrote into us describing his favourite cricket match with the Running Foxes.  

Find the full scorecard of Oliver's favourite Leicestershire match HERE.

We would love to hear any great memories you may have had in recent years and your thoughts on why you love being a member of the Running Foxes. There are potential opportunities for your stories and experiences to be shared on our platforms!

Please send your stories in by emailing membership@leicestershireccc.co.uk.