Second XI Hunt T20 Trophy

Leicestershire’s Second XI will compete for silverware at Second XI T20 Finals Day today (9 June) at the picturesque Arundel Cricket Ground.

Dips Patel’s side will be aiming to win the competition for the second time, having previously beaten Somerset by 11 runs to take the glory in the 2014 final.

The day will follow the traditional Finals Day format, with two semi-finals preceding the showpiece decider between the two winners.

Having finished as the best group winner on 13 points, the Foxes will face East Midlands rivals Nottinghamshire in the opening match of the day, with the victor taking on the winner of Middlesex versus Glamorgan.

The Foxes claimed top spot thanks to a final game victory in the group stage, also over Notts, with Nick Welch smashing an unbeaten 118 from just 59 balls to help the team chase down an imposing target of 198 with 15 deliveries to spare.

Patel will have several First Team players at his disposal, including Harry Swindells, Ed Barnes, Gavin Griffiths and South African overseas star Wiaan Mulder, while Academy squad members, such as Sam Wood and Vikai Kelley, are also in contention.

Second XI cricket has proved a successful pathway to Leicestershire’s First Team, with One-Day skipper Lewis Hill a member of the 2014 winning squad, while Rehan Ahmed has had a meteoric rise through the ranks in the past 12 months.

The side will be aiming to follow the lead of Leicestershire Women, who were crowed champions of Group Five last month in the Women's County T20 Finals Day at Uptonsteel County Ground, while the First Team will also be hoping for a successful day, as they travel to Derbyshire in the Vitality Blast.

Speaking ahead of the occasion, Second XI Head Coach Dips Patel, said: “It has been pleasing to see the development of the young lads during the competition, especially how well they have adapted in pressurised situations.

“Our senior players have offered match-winning contributions with bat and ball, and it has been a great learning experience for our Academy lads.

“It is a real boost for these young men to enjoy a Finals Day and potentially win a trophy.”

Leicestershire’s semi-final against Nottinghamshire Outlaws kicks off the day at 10:30am, while the final will take place at 5pm.