Surrey CCC | One Day Cup Match Preview - 03/08/2023

A change of format brings fresh hope for Leicestershire, as the Foxes enter the Metro Bank One Day Cup looking to build on last year’s quarter-final stage returns.

It was the first time the Club had reached a knockout round of a List A competition since 2008, and with the likes of Colin Ackermann and Peter Handscomb adding firepower to the batting lineup, there’s justification in the belief the Foxes have in going further this time around.

As with 2022’s opener, Leicestershire make the trip south to face Surrey “ with this year’s fixture taking place at The Oval.

 Last Time We Met:

The previous meeting between the two sides last August saw Leicestershire run out as comfortable winners against a youthful Surrey side, pillaged by The Hundred selections.

Beuran Hendricks put on a masterclass with the ball, taking 4/39 from his ten overs to help restrict the hosts to 246/8 at Guildford.

In response, Nick Welch hit his maiden ton for the Foxes, smashing 127 not out (125b), while Wiaan Mulder hit 71* (65b) to guide the side to a seven-wicket opening-round victory.

In Focus:

After spending the previous two Augusts with Manchester Originals, Colin Ackermann is back in town and looking to add a trophy to his time with the Foxes.

The South-African born batsman accumulated 116 runs in Sunday’s warm-up game at Staffordshire on Sunday, tempering his innings with a mix of watchful defence and brutal boundary-hitting (5x6).

In his last One Day Cup campaign for Leicestershire during 2019, Ackermann finished as clear top run-scorer for the Club, hitting 428 at 61.14, including his List A career-best of 152*. He is pivotal to the Foxes’ chances this term.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Ben Foakes may have missed out on England selection during the Ashes, but the world is already well aware of his capabilities with bat and gloves.

He’s scored just shy of 2,000 runs at an average of 37.32 during his List A career, including an unbeaten 61 on his sole ODI match for England.

Oddly, he’s never hit a century in the format from his 73 matches to date. Leicestershire will be hoping he doesn’t break that duck on Thursday.

Squad:

As well as Ackermann’s return, Sol Budinger, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hull and Uttam Ramji are in line for their List A debuts for the Foxes, as a 13-strong squad travel to The Oval.

Leicestershire Foxes: Ackermann, Budinger, Evans, Handscomb+, Hill*, Hull, Kimber, Mulder, Patel, Ramji, Scriven, Walker, Wright.