County lose out to Worcs

Leicestershire lost out to Worcestershire by 61 runs in the third pre-season friendly at Grace Road.

Worcs made 320-7 in their 50 overs, thanks largely to a late blast by Daryl Mitchell, who made 87 off 49 balls towards the end of the knock.

Neil Saker, Wayne White and Carl Crowe each took two wickets for County, who had things in check until Mitchell and David Wheeldon (51) combined in the middle.

There were also promising spells for youngsters Nathan Buck and Alex Wyatt during the innings. Both bowled well at Vikram Solanki (56), who was eventually bowled by Wyatt after he and Steve Davies got things off to a positive start for the visitors.

It needed a good start to the Leics innings, and Greg Smith and Jacques du Toit gave it. Both made 43 in an enterprising stand worth 88, but Ian Fisher's spell of 2-27 off eight slowed things down after the flying opening stand.

Number three Jim Allenby was also dismissed in the 40s, and Mitchell and Chris Whelan shared six wickets at a crucial time in the innings as Worcs turned the screw.

James Taylor (24) and Paul Nixon (26) also got starts, but no-one could go on to post the big score needed to match Mitchell's effort.

County at least managed to bat out the overs, as Saker (21*) and Buck (12*) combined to good effect towards the end of the innings.

All in all, it was another agood workout against a strong visiting outfit and everybody again got some good practice in the middle.

Teams: (12 named a side) Leics: G.Smith, du Toit, Allenby, J.Taylor, Nixon, Cobb, Pope, White, Crowe, Saker, Buck, Wyatt.

Worcs: Solanki, Davies, Manuel, Ali, B.Smith, Mitchell, Wheeldon, Andrew, Fisher, Whelan, Mason, Arif.