Leicestershire v Middlesex - Clydesdale Bank 40 - Group A - Match Recap
Middlesex 241/5 v Leicestershire 210/10 - Middlesex won by 31 runs
In the Group A match of the Clydesdale Bank 40 tournament, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Middlesex-c817 won their 40-over contest against hosts Leicestershire by 31 runs on handsomely defending a total of 241 runs clobbered while batting first at Grace Road, Leicester.
Leicestershire after winning the toss chose to field first in a bid to put the batting side in a spot of bother by limiting them on a meagre total.
However, they were given a rude welcome by Middlesex openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JL-Denly-c1703 and DJ Malan as the duo launched an early onslaught by smashing shots out of town, shredding the bowling attack to bits and pieces.
Finally in the 12th over, the batting side suffered the loss of their first wicket when Denly edged a delivery straight to wicketkeeper Eckersley off the bowling of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 after clobbering a knock of 29 runs on 34 deliveries.
Number-three batsman, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PR-Stirling-c2200, then exhibited impressive form as he smashed a 20-run knock off 22 deliveries before getting caught in front of stumps off the bowling of Henderson. The batsman walked back to the pavilion with his team standing on a tally of 97 runs.
Leicestershire then struck once more by grabbing the prized wicket of Malan, who perished after moulding a staggering innings of 43 runs, leaving his team on a tally of 111.
With the top-three batsmen back on the benches, middle-order batsmen, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Eoin-Joseph-Gerard-Morgan-c56032 and NJ Dexter took charge as they stood defiant against the aggressive bowling attack that was looking to grab another wicket in order to achieve complete superiority.
With 144 runs, Morgan after playing a commendable innings of 25 runs off 38 deliveries finally lost his footing.
With http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Leicestershire-c807 thought of having their way with the batting side, but their plans were cut short as GK Berg alongside skipper Dexter belted a resounding partnership that helped the side amass a fightable total on the board.
Berg was the last wicket to fall from his side as the batsman was caught by wicketkeeper Eckersley after clobbering an innings of 43 runs. At the time of his demise, Middlesex had managed to post 214 runs.
Dexter stayed unbeaten on a sensational total of 54 runs off 41 deliveries by playing an innings that included seven boundaries as he helped the side post a tough total on the board.
Leicestershire while carrying aggressive batsmen in their arsenal, still fell short of the required target as they crumbled in front of unmatchable bowling from http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2012/content/player/216184.html (2) as not only did they take wickets but also restricted the batsmen from playing big knocks which limited the batting side on a tally of 210 runs.
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