WHILE the rugby half of the city were watching Leicester win the Guinness Premiership semi-final a mile away from Grace Road, Leicestershire’s much less numerous cricket supporters had to accept that hopes of progress in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy are realistically over. A third defeat in the competition followed the fall of six wickets in the first 14 overs.

Leicestershire were missing five first-team regulars through injury and a virus, but should have restricted Worcestershire to fewer than 191 from 45 overs, after a wet outfield delayed the start, even before their top order were undone by good new-ball and spin bowling.

It did not help that John Maunders was run out off the second ball of the innings. Ray Price chased down his clip to wide long-on and threw to Roger Sillence, who quickly offloaded to the wicketkeeper. Sillence played a useful all-round part in Worcestershire’s victory, contributing 44 off 47 balls with three sixes and bowling a lively, accurate spell of seam-up.

Zaheer Khan and Matt Mason were also impressive, claiming a brace of wickets apiece. Both Darren Maddy and Tom New were caught in the slips, and Zaheer took obvious delight in dismissing his fellow Indian, Dinesh Mongia. Paul Nixon, with an 83-ball fifty, was the only member of the top eight to reach double figures.

The most encouraging aspect for Leicestershire was the bowling of Alamgir Sheriyar, in his first appearance for his first county since 1995. He had Graeme Hick dropped and then caught in the slips, but Ben Smith anchored Worcestershire with 59 off 100 balls.