NatWest Trophy: Luck of the draw for Leicester (10 Jul 1998)

10 July 1998

NatWest Trophy: Luck of the draw for Leicester

By Charles Randall

A HOME draw for Leicestershire in the quarter-finals of the NatWest Trophy has increased their hopes of achieving the grand slam of all four titles.

Although the Midlands county are not favourites for the trophy - Lancashire and Surrey, both at home, are quoted at 3-1 - they have a good chance of defeating Warwickshire at Grace Road on July 28, having beaten them by three wickets in the Benson and Hedges Cup.

Under the leadership of Chris Lewis, their permanent stand-in captain, Leicestershire are already involved in tomorrow's Benson and Hedges Cup final at Lord's, have risen to second in the championship and remain in contention at seventh in the AXA League.

Nottinghamshire's trip to Old Trafford - Lancashire's third successive home NatWest draw - will provide a chance to settle some scores for former Red Rose stalwarts Alan Ormrod, who guided them to several one-day triumphs in his time as manager, and opening batsman Jason Gallian.

Ormrod said: "I've still got a soft spot for Lancashire, and there is no doubt they are one of the best sides in the country, so we're going to have to play out of our skins."

Middlesex v Hampshire, Surrey v Derbyshire, Leicestershire v Warwickshire, Lancashire v Nottinghamshire.

Ties to be played on Tues, July 28. 10.30am starts.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)