Champions Leicestershire defeated Yorkshire eight wickets to retain hopes of defending the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Scarborough. Ian Holland was a standout performer for the Foxes both at bat and with the ball as they amassed a revised 22-over total of 150.
The all-rounder Holland took the new ball, helpeding Leicestershire win for the fourth time in six games and go into the top three spots in Group B. Holland returned 2 for 39 from 10 overs before starting the batting with 42 from 25 balls.
With Yorkshire’s hopes severely damaged, Holland was aided by captain Lewis Hill’s outstanding 71 not out off 54 balls with four sixes. After being inserted, they made 236 for 7 from 50 overs when rain at the mid-innings interval forced a two-hour delay to 5pm, and they lost for the third time in six games.
Dom Bess’s career-best 60 and Matthew Revis’s 55 not out helped the Vikings rally from 118 for 6, the seventh-wicket combination sharing 112. However, Hill’s and Holland’s adventures eclipsed their efforts.
In Leicestershire’s five-man seam attack, Holland was joined by Tom Scriven and 17-year-old debutant Alex Green, both of whom scored twice each.
The champions, who had chosen to bowl on the same pitch that had seen Yorkshire defeat Essex on Tuesday, were outstanding with the ball during the first half of the innings.
They not only took four early wickets, bringing the Vikings down to 79 for 4 in just 25 overs, but they also exerted tremendous control and gave up just three boundaries throughout that period.
After Holland had struck twice with the new ball to get Shan Masood at cover and Fin Bean caught behind, tall Academy seamer Green gave encouragement.
After Harry Duke misplayed a pull at Scriven and James Wharton, for 23, pulled Roman Walker to deep midwicket, Holland also contributed to the third wicket. Yorkshire was reduced to 118 for six in the 35th over as they attempted to rally, with George Hill and Luxton each hitting a six. However, their fast departures checked the innings.
Prior to Luxton being caught behind against Scriven, Hill was caught in the ring off an incorrect pull at Green.
As brilliant as Leicestershire had been early on, Yorkshire managed a competitive total when Bess and Revis matched them late in their century partnership.
They reached their fifties late in an innings where the final 10 overs accounted for 93 runs. They had shared three leg-side sixes. Prior to Bess’s 48 balls, Revis reached 50 first, off 47 balls. After facing 51 balls, they both concluded.
In the victory over Essex on Tuesday, Bess scored an undefeated 53, which was also a career record.
With perfect bowling conditions and ominous sky, Leicestershire’s mission didn’t appear simple, even with Duckworth Lewis Stern’s assistance.
However, after three balls of the chase, Holland square drove Hill for four, setting the tone.
He was strong on both sides of the wicket and consistently reached the boundary thereafter.
Furthermore, it didn’t cost much to lose opening partner Sol Budinger, who was caught at mid-on off Hill with 18 for one.
Yash Vagadia, a diving sub-fielder, caught Holland at square-leg off Dom Leech, and the Foxes were in charge at 62 for two in the eighth over.
At 80 for two, Hill took Dan Moriarty’s left-arm spin for his second six over long-off, helping Leicestershire cross the 10-over threshold. And with the score at 113 for two in the fourteenth over, the game was all but gone when Hill hit his fifty off 37 balls.
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With 2.2 overs left, Hill and third-wicket partner Ajinkya Rahane (28) put up an unbroken 90-run stand that ensured victory.
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