RLODC Preview: Leicestershire v Derbyshire

RLODC Preview: Leicestershire v Derbyshire

Harvey Hosein. Picture courtesy of YouTube, with thanks

Leicestershire will be looking to build on their superb victory over Worcestershire on Sunday when they welcome East Midlands neighbours Derbyshire to Grace Road on Wednesday.

The Foxes had suffered heavy away defeats to Yorkshire and Durham in their opening two Royal London One-Day Cup fixtures but bounced back with a fine batting display against a Worcestershire side who finished top of the North Group in 2018.

Centuries from Colin Ackermann and Lewis Hill propelled Leicestershire to 377-4, their highest List A score at home. Despite a scare in the run chase, Worcestershire were eventually dismissed for 339, giving the Foxes a 38-run victory.

Derbyshire won their opening match against Northants but Notts made light work of a chase of 299 against them on Sunday. 
Both sides will view this as a must-win game if they harbour hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Key Men

The aforementioned Colin Ackermann is so often a key figure for the Foxes in white-ball cricket. He made an unbeaten 152 from 143 balls in the victory over Worcestershire on Sunday having failed with the bat in the opening two games. His part-time off spin also brought three wickets against the Rapids and when he is on form, Leicestershire normally play well. 

Top order runs have been an important part of Derbyshire’s campaign so far and captain Billy Godleman is enjoying a good run of form. He made a crucial 87 in the victory over Northants on what was not a straightforward Derby wicket. Godleman then scored 116 in a losing cause against Notts as he made it three centuries in his last seven appearances in this competition.

Squad news

Leicestershire could name the same side as their win on Sunday although new signing Chris Wright is expected to recovery from an illness that saw him sit out the match against Worcestershire. Callum Parkinson is another player who is in line for his first appearance of the season.

Leicestershire squad – TBA

Derbyshire have had the same 14 man squad for their opening two matches. Kolpak signing Leus du Plooy has made an encouraging start to life in the East Midlands and is likely to feature in the Falcons’ first away game of the tournament.

Derbyshire squad – TBA

Form

Leicestershire- WLLLW
Derbyshire- WDWL

Weather and conditions

If you’re heading to Grace Road, you might need to dig the umbrella out. The UK’s heatwave looks set to end on Wednesday, with heavy showers forecast in the afternoon. It is due to clear though before the scheduled close of play so Duckworth-Lewis could decide the result.

716 runs were scored in the opening fixture of the season at Grace Road but with the pitch likely to be the same one as Sunday, the bowlers might enjoy more success.

Leicestershire won the last meeting on this ground in this format in 2017 as Derbyshire could only make 219. However, the Foxes have not won back-to-back white ball fixtures at home since 2016.


Date: 24th April 2019
Time: 11am
Ground: Fischer County Ground, Grace Road
Odds (bet365): Leicestershire 11-10, Derbyshire 8-11

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