Both these teams can still go forward but the pressure is on the Foxes
Following the defeat of Nottinghamshire by Gloucestershire, Glamorgan and Warwickshire are now guaranteed a quarter final place and whilst it is still possible for Leicestershire to top the group, they are realistically focussed on third spot. For this, they are still in a competition with Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.
Leicestershire have benefitted from the return of Ian Holland, who they continue to have on loan from Hampshire. He has been playing in the Major League Cricket, but has been back for the Foxes’ last three games, scoring 119 runs and taking five wickets with an economy of 4.40. Coach Alfonso Thomas has not been impressed with the schedule the Foxes have faced, playing in Hove, then Kibworth and Scarborough in the space of five days last week. They came away with wins against Sussex and Yorkshire, but just failed to chase down 297 against Surrey. They have lost five players to the Hundred, while Wiaan Mulder is playing with South Africa, but have Chris Wright back in their ranks. The seam bowling is stretched by injuries to Matt Salisbury and Ben Mike, with Roman Walker and young Alex Green joining Wright, Holland and Tom Scriven. Scriven currently tops their wicket taking with 10 at 24.40. Liam Trevaskis provides the spin threat, but has taken just three wickets at 48.33.
The batting is the strength of this side, with Sol Budinger currently leading the run scoring in this competition, with 368 runs at 61.33 and a strike rate of 101.09. He is followed in the order by the experienced trio of Lewis Hill, Ajinkya Rahane and Peter Handscomb.
Glamorgan remain unbeaten so far and this is the result of some strong all round performances. They have introduced a number of younger players into the batting line up, resting the experienced Colin Ingram from the last two matches. Sam Northeast has returned following a hamstring injury and has immediately been in the runs with 89 and 68 not out. Eddie Byrom had found some form in this competition, but missed the last match with an injury, while Billy Root has been steady with 138 runs at 34.50.
The bowling options are limited, but they have had a week long rest, not being needed in the abandoned game at Edgbaston. Dan Douthwaite leads the competition’s wicket-taking with 15 at 14.53 and an acceptable economy of 5.49. Andy Gorvin has taken 11 at 17.81, going at 5.13, but it has been the bowling of Timm van der Gugten and Jamie McIlroy in the powerplay that has created the problems for the opposition batters. Van der Gugten has gone at just 3.00 and McIlroy 3.65 runs per over The spin department is a weakness, particularly if Ben Kellaway remains unavailable following an injury during the warm up before the game against Sussex.
These two teams have not met in this competition over the last two years. In 2021, the game at Grace Road was abandoned one over into the second innings, Glamorgan having made 277/8 thanks to 140 from Nick Selman and 67 by Root. That was the year Glamorgan went on to win the competition, while Leicestershire were triumphant last year.
The teams look evenly matched, but Leicestershire are more in need of the win and this may drive them on.
Key players:
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has re-signed for Leicestershire for the second half of the season, in time to strengthen their bid to retain the One Day title. The 36-year-old has scored over 13,000 runs in 188 List A appearances, including 90 ODIs and also has the experience from 85 Test appearances. He has scored 234 runs at 46.80 so far in this competition, with a top score of 71 and he will be a key wicket for Glamorgan.
Timm van der Gugten has only taken five wickets so far in this campaign, but his miserly bowling up front has undoubtedly contributed to the wickets taken by the change bowlers. Injury has restricted his Championship appearances to three, but he has still taken 17 wickets at 20.88 and Glamorgan will need him to stay fit.
Team News
The fixture congestion seems to be taking its toll, but some squads have been strengthened by players released back to counties from Hundred franchises. However all Leicestershire’s players have been active with their Hundred teams. Matt Salisbury and Ben Mike have missed the last games through injury.
Leicestershire (probable): Lewis Hill (c), Sol Budinger, Ben Cox (wk), Sam Evans, Alex Green, Peter Handscomb, Ian Holland, Ajinkya Rahane, Tom Scriven, Harry Swindells, Liam Trevaskis, Roman Walker, Sam Wood, Chris Wright.
Colin Ingram has been omitted by Glamorgan from recent squads, supposedly to give opportunities to younger players. Kellaway remains in doubt because of injury.
Glamorgan squad (from): Kiran Carlson (c), Tom Bevan, Eddie Byrom, Dan Douthwaite, Andy Gorvin, Henry Hurle, Colin Ingram, Jamie McIlroy, Ben Morris, Sam Northeast, Tom Norton, Billy Root, Asa Tribe, Will Smale (wk), Timm van der Gugten,
Weather and Conditions
The forecast is bright and sunny with temperatures reaching 26°C.
Two games have been played at Grace Road in this competition so far, with very different outcomes. In the first Leicestershire were put in and piled up 369/6. Two days later, on the same pitch, Warwickshire bowled them out for just 88. Given the forecast, batters should fancy their chances.
Date: 11th August 2024
Time: 11:00am
Ground: Grace Road, Leicester
