Phenomenal Foxes Win Opening Round Thriller at Yorkshire

Opener Rishi Patel’s maiden first-class century led a stunning final day Leicestershire chase of 389 against Yorkshire at Headingley before key contributions from eighth-wicket pair Peter Handscomb and Chris Wright sealed a first LV= Insurance County Championship win since September 2021 - by three wickets with seven balls to spare.  

Leicestershire’s target - 87 overs were available - was set during the fourth morning, and they were on course to achieve the second highest successful chase in their history when 24-year-old Patel brought up three figures after tea.

At 243 for three, they needed 146 in 27 overs to win, all after conceding 517 in the first innings.

Patel then fell for 125 off 205 balls to undermine their chances, but Australian Handscomb added 68 not out to his first-innings 112 and Wright hit the winning runs and finished with 40, sealing a remarkable 22-point haul.

Title favourites Yorkshire take seven points having lost a Championship match to Leicestershire at Headingley for the first time since 1910.

Leicestershire’s skilful and determined fightback started with the bat midway through their first innings in the first half of day three having been 187 for five. They ended up posting 415 in their first innings. 

And the visitors’ strong batting was evident once more as they chased in the face of five for 158 for off-spinner Dom Bess.

Leicestershire’s intentions were clear when reaching lunch at 78 without loss from 16 overs. Sol Budinger laid the platform with eight boundaries in 41.

His opening partner Patel was dropped on eight by James Wharton at point off Ben Coad’s bowling.

But, during the second over of the afternoon, Yorkshire broke through as Bess forced left-handed opener Budinger to miscue an ugly swipe to short midwicket, leaving the score at 80 for one. 

And when Bess struck again four overs later, getting Lewis Hill caught behind, the score was 88 for two.

But, as is the modern way, the run-rate was maintained despite the setbacks and Dutch international Colin Ackermann busily took on the lead role with 72.

He dominated a 113-stand with Patel for the third wicket, only to fall lbw to Bess just before tea, which arrived with Leicestershire on 203 for three from 50.

Centurion Handscomb was dropped on 41 in the first innings and nearly run out on 99, and just after tea today he offered a sharp chance to Adam Lyth at first slip on two as he faced Bess.

But his survival allowed Patel to plough on. He was strong through cover and hit all three sixes off Bess over the leg-side. 

His first took him to fifty during the afternoon and his second, slog-swept over midwicket, ensured his maiden hundred off 185 balls after tea.

He shared 68 for the fourth wicket with Handscomb before falling caught behind to a lifter from Coad - 269 for four in the 66th over.

The final hour started with Leicestershire needing 103 more from 16 overs, only for Wiaan Mulder to sky Bess high to cover and Rehan Ahmed to be stumped off the same man, who now had five-for.

And when Michael Finan slashed Matt Milnes to third, Leicestershire were 327 for seven in the 78th needing 62 more. A Yorkshire win was back on the cards all of a sudden.

But Handscomb played the calming hand and Wright wielded away as they shared a game-clinching 65 partnership in eight overs. 

Yorkshire won’t think so, but what an advert for the Championship to start 2023.