LEIC vs YORKS 54th Match, T20 Blast 2023

So that’s that and it’s Yorkshire who’ve registered a win by 30 runs over Leicestershire!

Batting first, Yorkshire got off to an underwhelming start as they lost both their openers for 21 runs from 3.2 overs. Dawid Malan was dismissed by Callum Parkinson for 2 (4), while Adam Lyth was sent back for 5 (10) as Naveen ul-Haq got him out-bowled. 

James Wharton 26 (19) and Shan Masood 23 (20) did try to stabilize the innings to an extent but Leicestershire kept chipping in with the wickets at regular intervals. Rehan Ahmed was at his best yet again as he got the better of Wharton, followed up by Jonathan Tattersall 0 (1) as well as Jordan Thompson 2 (4). 

With Yorkshire teetering at 78-7 from 13.4 overs, it seemed like Leicestershire were on course to a comfortable run chase. However, that’s when things changed to significant proportions as David Wiese and Ben Mike got into the act.

Wiese took his time in the initial bit to get settled but then followed it up by some exquisitely timed shots and trailblazing boundaries that turned the tide in favour of his side. Wiese powered his way to 50 (32)* with six fours, a six and a strike rate of 156.25.

Meanwhile, Ben Mike also contributed from the other end with a terrifically struck 30 (17)* with two fours and two sixes under his belt. The duo of Wiese and Mike struck a quickfire 78 run stand from the final six overs and got Yorkshire to a fighting first innings total after being put under pressure.

For Leicestershire, it was Rehan Ahmed who once again stood tall with his spell of 3-21 from four overs.

As for the runs chase, it didn’t start off in the most ideal manner for Leicestershire as Nick Welch was dismissed for not by Dom Bess. Skipper Lewis Hill didn’t hang around much either as Jordan Thompson got the better of him for 13 (11).

Rishi Patel and Wiaan Mulder did try to counter punch out there in the middle and got to a 39 run partnership before Patel was sent back to the hut by Thompson for 36 (25).

Louis Kimber and Rehan Ahmed could only add a run apiece, while it was Wiaan Mulder who kept the fight on for his team. Mulder struck 46 (40) with five fours to his name and was looking to add the pressure back on Yorkshire.

Just when he looked settled in, that’s when Thompson’s golden arm came to use as Mulder handed a catch straight to the fielder at deep mid-wicket. Thompson bagged his fourth scalp off his very next delivery as Naveen ul-Haq was dismissed for a golden duck.

Michael Finaan did put in a decent cameo of 20 (13) but it just wasn’t to be for Leicestershire as they got bundled out for 126 from 19.3 overs and succumbed to yet another defeat in the Vitaly Blast.

Jordan Thompson’s spell of 5-22 from was indeed the highlight for the second innings, but it was the partnership of David Wiese and Ben Mike in the first innings that shifted the momentum in favour of Yorkshire.