Essex v Leicestershire Foxes
Metro Bank One Day Cup
The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am
Team News
Essex: Robin Das, Feroze Khushi, Tom Westley*, Matt Critchley, Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, Noah Thain, Shane Snater, Jamal Richards, Aaron Beard, Simon Fernandes+
Leicestershire Foxes: Harry Swindells, Sol Budinger, Lewis Hill*, Ajinkya Rahane, Peter Handscomb, Ben Cox+, Liam Trevaskis, Ben Mike, Tom Scriven, Chris Wright, Matt Salisbury
Match Details
Umpires: Hassan Adnan & James Tredwell
Match Referee: Mike Smith
Scorers: Paul Parkinson & Paul Rogers
Toss: Leicestershire Foxes won the toss and elected to bowl first
Result: Leicestershire Foxes won by three wickets
Scorecard: View here
Match Highlights
Match Reaction: Matt Critchley
Match Report
A trio of fifties from Matt Critchley, Charlie Allison, and Noah Thain were not enough to prevent Essex falling to a three-wicket Metro Bank One Day Cup defeat at home to Leicestershire.
The returning Critchley top-scored with 55, while Thain struck a rapid 53 and Allison made 51, but the Eagles’ total of 290-9 was overhauled by the Foxes with 2.3 overs to spare.
Sol Budinger’s run-a-ball 120 underpinned the bulk of the Leicestershire chase, as despite three wickets for Critchley, contributions from Lewis Hill and Ajinkya Rahane helped the visitors over the line.
Having been inserted after losing the toss, Essex initially made serene progress towards a platform, with some hefty blows, first from Robin Das and then Tom Westley, putting the score at 100-2.
The loss of both, with the latter departing for 31 to bring Critchley to the crease, put something of a spanner in the works, though the leg-spinning all-rounder and Allison added 73 for the fourth wicket.
Thain’s late blows from, who hammered 53 off just 30 balls with four big sixes, helped pull Essex to a competitive total on a pitch showing signs of turn.
Despite Leicestershire initially feeling their way into the chase, opener Budinger’s mammoth innings held the chase together.
Indian international Rahane made 37, allied to 42 from captain Hill, as in spite of economical spells from Jamal Richards and Critchley, the Foxes timed their chase well to reach their target late on.
There was some potential nervousness in the stands when a late clatter, including the scalp of Budinger by Tom Westley, set up an interesting finish.
However, the visitors’ lower order held their nerve to see themselves over the line and condemn Essex to defeat.
School’s out, cricket’s in: 50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer
White-ball action at The Cloud County Ground continues into July and August as the Metro Bank One-Day Cup gets underway.
The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.
With all matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here
Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here
Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here
Alongside the offering of men’s Metro Bank One Day Cup action, The Cloud County Ground will also host one more Women’s London Championship match during the summer holidays.
Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here
