Sagger Century Helps Under-18s Begin One Day Campaign With Thumping Win

Leicestershire Under-18s kicked off their County One Day Cup campaign in emphatic style, dismantling Shropshire Under-18s by 163 runs on Sunday.

17-year-old opener Sachin Sagger was the star of the show at Kibworth, scoring his maiden century - a magnificent 137 “ to send the Foxes into the next round.

Jigar Naik’s side won the toss and elected to bat first, sending in Sagger and skipper Usman Minhas to open the innings. The pair got off to a rapid start, reaching their 50-run partnership in just 6.3 overs.

Minhas, who had contributed 25, was caught and bowled shortly afterwards by Matthew Morris, who then struck again just three balls later to remove Ronak Rajashekar (0).

Arnav Rai joined Sagger at the crease and added another 75 runs in a positive 13-over stand, before being caught by Morris for 31 “ the pick of the Shropshire bowlers.

Despite wickets falling around him, Sagger continued to dominate, flicking for four to bring up his century just 99 deliveries. It came amidst the biggest stand of the match “ a 162-run partnership “ with Darius Fanibanda, who smashed 77 from just 56 balls at number four.

Sagger then played the shot of the match, reverse sweeping Max Lloyd for a huge six. He was eventually dismissed for 137 in the 40th over, caught by Morris at mid on, while Fanibanda was stumped in the following over to leave the Foxes 293 for five with just over nine overs remaining.

Leicestershire still finished strongly, with Sahil Sheth clubbing 27 from 14 balls to help set a daunting target of 369 for Shropshire.

With the ball, the Young Foxes made an immediate impact. Opening bowlers Raiffe Headley and Theo Marshall claimed a wicket each in the first two overs, removing openers Max Ferrington and Arjun Cherukuri for ducks.

Tight spells from Marshall, Headley, Caleb Day, and Ali Farooq kept the pressure on, restricting Shropshire to 34/2 by the end of the 13th over, before Farooq trapped Dax Hardman (19) lbw.

Shropshire's problems mounted in the 18th over when Sheth snared two wickets in as many balls. Away ‘keeper Morgan Ward (10) found Farooq “ who took a brilliant juggling catch - at deep extra cover, and Vrishab Eli (0) was pinned in front next ball. Shropshire now 67 for five.

Finn Jones looked the only real threat, but his promising knock of 79 was ended by Farooq, clean bowled just as he threatened to push on. Morris (34) and Hugo Lowther (22*) provided some late resistance, but it wasn’t enough as the final four wickets fell in the space of eight overs.

After a couple of run outs, the final two were dismissed in Will Macdonald’s first three balls, wrapping up a comprehensive victory by 163 runs.

The Young Foxes will travel to Worcestershire for round three on Sunday 13 July.

A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.