Express & Star

Leicestershire Foxes get the better of Birmingham Bears

Leicestershire Foxes continued their 100 per cent start to the T20Blast campaign with a nine-run win over Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston.

Published

Put in, the Foxes raced to 50 in the fifth over thanks to Luke Ronchi’s 23-ball 46, but went on to total only 147 for nine. At 72 for one in the eighth over, they seemed set for a tall score but the last 12 overs brought 75 for eight.

It was a modest total but one they defended with great skill, restricting the Bears to 138 for eight.

The Bears qucikly saw Ian Bell caught at short fine leg and Sam Hain taken at deep mid-wicket. When Tim Ambrose was stumped off Delport, Birmingham were 64 for three at the halfway stage.

Colin de Grandhomme (24, 24 balls), William Porterfield (30, 23 balls) and Elliott (18, 18) reduced the deficit but it came down to Bears needing 16 off the last over, delivered by skipper Clint McKay. The Foxes captain closed the game out with predictable efficiency.