Notts Outlaws | One Day Cup Match Preview - 24/07/2024

10 months after Lewis Hill lifted the trophy aloft at Trent Bridge, Leicestershire are ready to defend their 50-over crown, as the Metro Bank One Day Cup returns on Wednesday. 

After ending a 38-year hunt for List A glory, the Foxes are bidding to retain their title again in 2024. The side will be boosted by the high-profile addition of former India captain Ajinkya Rahane for this summer’s campaign, while 2023’s top wicket-taker Chris Wright also makes his return to competitive cricket.

East Midlands rivals Nottinghamshire are the visitors to Uptonsteel County Ground on Wednesday, with Lewis Hill’s side looking to repeat the comprehensive T20 victory over the Outlaws earlier this month.

Last Time We Met:

The previous meeting between the two sides last August saw the Outlaws inflict the sole defeat of Leicestershire’s campaign, winning by three wickets on DLS method.

Wiaan Mulder led the fight with the bat, scoring a valiant 84 not out as the visitors restricted the Foxes to 214/9 from 44 overs in a rain-affected clash.

Josh Hull caught the eye with an impressive 4/43 from nine overs, but couldn’t prevent Notts from reaching their revised target of 206 from 42 overs.

Decisive Duel:

Chris Wright’s return is a timely one for an attack missing a few of its leading lights. Wiaan Mulder and Ian Holland are both currently away in the Major League Cricket, while Josh Hull, Scott Currie and Rehan Ahmed are all participating in The Hundred.

The 39-year-old has spearheaded the Foxes’ attack for the previous five campaigns, taking 220 wickets for Leicestershire in that time. His threat with the new ball is especially potent, leading the Club’s 50-over wicket-taking charts last term with 18 wickets at 23.22. 

Wright also took his career-best List A figures in this fixture in 2022, claiming 6/35.

Another high-class operator with the new ball, and a man with history in this fixture, is Brett Hutton. The 31-year-old will lead the Outlaws attack again this term, registering 11 wickets at 18.72 from his six List A appearances last year. Like Wright, he took his career-best figures in 2022’s meeting, taking 7/26 in a match-winning display.

Squad:

Ajinkya Rahane is Leicestershire’s headline addition, as he prepares to make his Foxes debut on Wednesday. Peter Handscomb will also return after missing Monday’s friendly against Buckinghamshire.

Ian Holland is away in the Major League Cricket and will miss the opening few rounds of the competition, while the Foxes are also without five players due to The Hundred: Rehan Ahmed, Scott Currie, Josh Hull, Louis Kimber, and Rishi Patel.

Leicestershire Foxes, Budinger, Cox+, Evans, Handscomb, Hill*, Mike, Rahane, Salisbury, Scriven, Swindells, Trevaskis, Walker, Wood, Wright.