Mitchell's first fifty takes Worcestershire home

A fine half-century from captain Daryl Mitchell, his first in T20 cricket, was enough for Worcestershire to pick up a five-wicket victory in their NatWest T20 Blast clash with the Leicestershire at Grace Road.

Leicestershire still only have one victory in this season's North Division after failing to defend their total of 164 for 6.

Mitchell was the star of the show for the visitors as he scored an unbeaten 67 from 50 deliveries, with the Rapids reaching their total with four balls remaining to take their third straight win of the competition.

Leicestershire skipper Josh Cobb set off in quick fashion but was caught off the bowling of Chris Russell in the fifth over, having scored 27 from 18 balls. Fellow opener Niall O'Brien fell in the same over having just smashed a six, leaving the hosts 44 for 2 from their opening five overs.

Greg Smith and Ned Eckersley both helped move the score along before being dismissed by Mitchell and Colin Munro in close succession.

It was left to Tom Wells to take the Foxes to a defendable total, he hit an unbeaten 45 from 28 balls, with Saeed Ajmal taking the wickets of Scott Styris and Rob Taylor in his final over.

Set 165 to win, Richard Oliver and Mitchell put on 26 runs before the former was well bowled by Ben Raine.

Mitchell continued to score consistently and was ably supported by Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Munro before Jigar Naik and Nathan Buck took a wicket apiece to bring Leicestershire back into the match.

But victory was assured as Mitchell remained unmoved at the crease and, despite Alexei Kervezee and Ross Whiteley unable to stay with their captain until the end, a six and four at the start of the final over from the 30-year-old steered Worcestershire to another win.