Leicestershire Foxes secured their third

Leicestershire Foxes secured their third win in four Metro Bank One-Day Cup matches with a narrow 10-run victory over Sussex Sharks at Hove, despite a high-scoring contest that saw 716 runs scored. Sussex, still winless in five games, pushed the game to the last over but ultimately fell short.

Australian Peter Handscomb's spectacular 119 off 80 balls anchored Leicestershire to a formidable total of 363 for 7. This total seemed daunting for Sussex, who had struggled with their batting in previous games, averaging only 200 runs.

Sussex, making six changes to their lineup, appeared to be out of contention at 196 for 4 in the 35th over. However, a brilliant partnership of 131 in 12 overs between Tom Haines (129) and John Simpson (85) revived their hopes. Simpson has now amassed 477 runs against Leicestershire this season.

Haines and Tom Clark put on 120 for the first wicket before Clark was dismissed for 72 off 74 balls in the 20th over, having been dropped earlier. Sussex’s innings faltered as Charlie Tear, Tom Alsop, and Fynn Hudson-Prentice fell cheaply, pushing the required run rate above ten an over. Yet, Haines and Simpson fought back. Haines, who struck successive sixes off Liam Trevaskis, and Simpson, scoring at a blistering 166.66 strike rate with eight fours and three sixes, kept Sussex in the game. Despite Haines’s departure at 318, and Simpson’s dismissal in the penultimate over with 20 runs still needed, Sussex couldn’t complete the chase.

Leicestershire, unexpectedly invited to bat first in favourable conditions (with the Foxes also willing to bowl), built their total on a solid start. The opening partnership of 129 between Ian Holland (65) and Sol Budinger (84) and a fourth-wicket stand of 146 between Handscomb and Ajinkya Rahane (68) set the foundation.

Holland, returning to the side, and Budinger, in good form, constructed the innings with a strong opening stand. They scored 52 runs in the first 10-over power play and reached 100 in the 17th over. Budinger reached fifty for the third time in four innings, but was dismissed for 84 after hitting six fours and five sixes. At 183 for 3 after 30 overs, Handscomb and Rahane took control, exploiting the short boundary.

Despite a few poor deliveries from Sussex bowlers, Handscomb's brilliant knock featured 15 fours and two sixes, reaching 300 in the 44th over. Rahane fell for 68, but Handscomb continued to dominate, ensuring the total was well beyond Sussex's reach.