Veteran wicketkeeper Ben Cox anchors the tense Leicestershire run chase.
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Thriller At Kibworth
One Day Cup got off to a thrilling start as Leicestershire battled through to a two-wicket win over Gloucestershire. The county won the crucial game, which had a tense conclusion with only ten balls to go, as the crowd watched the professionals fight it out until the very last moment.
A Difficult Start For The Away Side
The morning session started badly for Gloucestershire as they struggled to post a competitive score on the fresh pitch. Having decided to bat first and lost the opener James Bracey on the last ball of the opening over, batters faced a hostile Leicestershire attack.
Bancroft Shines
Cameron Bancroft looked to have batted magnificently in challenging circumstances to give his side a fighting chance once he had been dropped early on. The Leicester opener made forty-two runs from fifty-two balls, hitting two sixes as he looked to lead his side to a competitive total.
Spinners Strike
However, the Foxes then regained control as the spinners worked their magic. Ajaz Patel was the standout performer with the bag as he accounted for two Gloucestershire batters, including the dangerous Bancroft, whilst conceding only thirty-two runs for his efforts.
Pace Accounts For The Rest
Spin bowlers may have choked the life out of the scoring rate, but it was pace that accounted for the rest as Alex Green dismantled the lower order. The fast bowler looked a real match-winner as he notched up three wickets for fifty-three runs with a fiery spell of bowling.
Tailenders Show Spirit
With the asking rate climbing, the tailenders showed a good amount of determination to stay at the crease. Daaryoush Ahmed and Will Williams showed good character as they put on a vital forty three runs for the last wicket to see their side make a competitive two hundred and thirty-five before being all out
Leicestershire Get Off To A Flyer
The chase seemed to be well underway as Leicestershire made a bright start. Rishi Patel looked in devastating form as he hit seven fours and a six in his entertaining thirty-nine. The chasing side were set for a comfortable run chase as they made fifty-one for two wickets after the first ten overs.
Leicester Slump
Such is the nature of limited-over cricket that the momentum soon shifted back to Gloucestershire as the Leicestershire openers went for big shots.
However, it was to be a false dawn for the hosts as they slumped to one hundred and thirty-six for five wickets as the dangerous Hamza Shaikh was dismissed after a promising thirty-three.
Cox Steps Up
With the asking rate rising again, it was the turn of the highly experienced Ben Cox to steady the innings. Having been called upon to rescue the game, the wicket-keeper displayed great composure as he controlled the strike to great effect.
De Swardt Provides The Support
Cox was aided in his task by South African Ruan de Swardt, who scored some valuable runs before departing. Both openers played magnificent cricket as they added fifty-five for the first wicket before falling to consecutive deliveries with only one ball remaining.
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