Nottinghamshire Outlaws | T20 Match Preview - 05/07/2024
Thu 4 Jul 2024
After a thumping three-day win against Middlesex this week, Leicestershire return to T20 action on Friday evening, make the short trip to Nottinghamshire.
The Foxes sit third in the North Group after eight matches, and will be buoyed by the overseas additions of big-hitting duo Paul Stirling and Jimmy Neesham. In the absence of T20 skipper Peter Handscomb, Rishi Patel will lead the side for the first time.
By contrast, the Outlaws have had a pretty torrid time in T20 cricket this season, sitting in eighth place with just two wins on the board.
FAMOUS FIXTURE:
It’s a first trip to Trent Bridge since September’s unforgettable One Day Cup final triumph over Hampshire. Leicestershire have had some memorable wins in enemy territory “ perhaps none more so than in 2017 when Cameron Delport blasted the Foxes into the quarter-finals.
The South African opener struck 109 off only 59 balls to help the side set the Outlaws 204 to win. With qualification on the line, Aadil Ali, Clint McKay and Matt Pillans struck in the Powerplay to put the Foxes on top.
Dan Christian’s quickfire 73 (32b) got the Outlaws close “ needing eight heading into the final over - but Pillans held his nerve to finish with the plaudits and figures of three for 24 as Leicestershire reached the last eight for the first time since the trophy-winning 2011 campaign.
DECISIVE DUEL:
New signing Paul Stirling is sure to bring the fireworks up top for the Foxes. The Irish international strikes at above 140 in T20 cricket, with three centuries in the format.
He’ll add further firepower to a top order that also houses Rishi Patel, the top run-scorer in the entire Blast with 385 runs at 48.12.
Stirling will come up against Olly Stone “ Notts’ leading T20 wicket-taker this term. Capable of bowling quicker than 90mph, both players will be going about their business in a hurry.
SQUAD:
Overseas duo Jimmy Neesham and Paul Stirling are in line for their debuts, while Sam Wood also enters the squad after taking 5/26 against Notts’ 2nd XI earlier this week. Rishi Patel will captain the side for the first time.
Peter Handscomb misses out with a shoulder injury, while Rehan Ahmed remains sidelined through concussion protocols.
Leicestershire Foxes: Budinger, Cox+, Currie, Evans, Goldsworthy, Hull, Kimber, Mike, Neesham, Patel*, Stirling, Swindells, Walker, Wood.
