The smart stats leaders and laggards after the first ten days of IPL 2018

S Rajesh & Shiva Jayaraman17-Apr-2018Thirteen matches into IPL 2018, Sunil Narine has offered more proof of why he is arguably the greatest T20 bowler around. In four games that Kolkata Knight Riders have played, Narine has figures of 7 for 82 from 15 overs, with an economy rate of 5.46, the best in the tournament so far.Those numbers are impressive enough, but when seen in the context of the matches, they become extraordinary. Against Chennai Super Kings, he gave away only 4.25 runs per over when when the match run-rate was 10.20. The game against Sunrisers Hyderabad wasn’t as high-scoring, but he still went at 4.25 when the average was 7.10. Taking into account the match economy rate and the specific overs that he bowled, Narine’s Smart Economy Rate (SER) for the tournament so far is a staggering 2.77 and by far the best. In simple terms, taking into account the context of each match he has played so far, Narine has saved his team 40 runs in the overs he has bowled.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe next best SER, among those who have bowled eight or more overs this IPL, is Rashid Khan’s 4.32, followed by Mujeeb ur Rahman’s 5.17. Those three are among the top four in the regular economy rate table as well, but the next two SER positions go to bowlers who don’t fare as well according to conventional metrics, which ignore criteria like match scoring-rates and which overs they bowled.Rahul Tewatia was excellent against Knight Riders, going for just 18 in three overs, including a last over which cost only a single run. In their first match, against Kings XI Punjab, he went for 24 in four, when the match run-rate was 8.60. All of that translates to Tewatia having saved 17 runs for his team.Similarly, Mustafizur Rahman has a much better SER than regular ER. Of the 11.5 overs he has bowled in the tournament, 7.5 have either been in the Powerplay or at the death (16th to 20th). He has delivered the 20th over twice – against Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils, conceding 10 and 11 runs, but then the average in the 20th over across the last three IPL seasons is 11.61. Also, his four-over figures in his last two games are 3 for 24 and 1 for 25; the latter coming in a match where 389 runs were made in 40 overs, or 9.70 runs per over. His overall death-overs economy rate is 6.62, and his Powerplay economy is even better at 5.33. Runs saved for the team according to Smart stats: 13.Shakib al Hasan and Siddarth Kaul, the two bowlers who are in the top five according to conventional metrics, have done well in relatively low-scoring games: the matches involving Sunrisers Hyderabad have had an overall run rate of 7.20, compared to 8.98 for Knight Riders, 8.52 for Mumbai Indians, and 9.22 for Daredevils.Smart SR is the SR adjusted to take into account match rate, and the scoring rate at the other end when the batsman batted. Smart ER is the ER adjusted to take into account match rate, plus the phase when the overs were bowled.•ESPNcricinfo LtdAmong the batsmen, while Andre Russell, KL Rahul and Sanju Samson have been terrific, one of the big improvers this season has been Shikhar Dhawan. With David Warner unavailable for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Dhawan has stepped up and taken on the role of the aggressor.In the 2017 IPL, Dhawan had a conventional strike rate of 127.39, and a Smart Strike Rate (SSR) of 108.91, which means his scoring rate was below par compared to that of the match and that of the batsman at the other end. Taking into account those factors, Dhawan’s 479 runs were actually worth 409.51, which means his actual contribution was 69.48 runs below par, for the number of balls he faced. But this season, his 130 runs are actually worth 163.42, which means he has scored 33.42 runs par, which brings his SSR up to 177.63, pushing him to sixth place, a significant improvement from last year.

At the bottom end of the scale are the captains of Daredevils and Knight Riders, the only players with SSRs below 100. The bigger surprise, though, is that Chris Lynn also languishes towards the bottom of this table. His SSR in IPL 2017 was 237.8, but things haven’t gone to plan so far for this season. Ajinkya Rahane’s SSR justifies questions about his role at the top of the order, while Kane Williamson’s SSR doesn’t dip as much because of the low-scoring matches he has been involved in.Among the bowlers at the bottom of the pile, the SER largely mirrors conventional rates, but whichever way you look at it, Rajasthan Royals must be having early doubts over their decision to pay USD 1.8 million for Jaydev Unadkat.

Should day-night matches in India begin earlier to minimise the impact of the dew factor? R Ashwin certainly thinks so. The India offspinner wants matches at the upcoming ODI World Cup, which will be played in India in October-November 2023, to begin at 11.30am – a full two hours earlier than the usual start of day-night ODI games in India.In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin took the example of India’s first ODI against Sri Lanka in Guwahati to suggest that dew gives chasing teams an undue advantage. Sent in to bat, India batted with deliberate urgency keeping the dew factor in mind and posted a total of 373. They eventually won by 67 runs, but Ashwin felt the margin of victory did not reflect their dominance on the day.Related

• Rohit Sharma in favour of early starts at 2023 World Cup

• How India's contenders are shaping up ahead of the World Cup

• Can Suryakumar crack ODIs ahead of the home World Cup?

• Kohli, Rohit, Gill and India's dew diligence

“India batted beautifully on a slow wicket and posted a score well above par. Still they ended up having to fight tooth and nail [to win],” he said. “The quality difference between the teams isn’t coming through – dew is narrowing that gap if you happen to lose the toss.”My suggestion – or rather my opinion – for the World Cup is to look at what venues we are playing in, and at what times. Why shouldn’t we start matches at 11.30am during the World Cup?”Day-night ODIs in India usually begin at 1.30pm, and extend well into the primetime television hours. While starting matches earlier may arguably lead to fairer contests, broadcasters may be against such a move given the potential risk of reduced viewership figures. Ashwin, though, suggested that fans would tune in to watch World Cup matches regardless of timing.”People will bring up television viewers and broadcasters, and say that people won’t latch on and watch at that time, but would they not latch on to World Cup matches?” he asked. “The recent T20 World Cup was also held in winter, prioritising the summer [for Australia’s home bilateral season]. It wasn’t the ideal scenario – T20 is a fast-paced game, how can you play it in winter? People will say that’s not the case in Australia, but still, we need to prioritise World Cups.”The ICC knows very well that there will be dew, so let’s advance the game, and if we start at 11.30am, the dew factor won’t come into the game, and why not? Won’t all cricket fans prioritise the World Cup and watch matches at 11.30?”As things stand, Ashwin suggested that teams around the world look at dew as one of the most significant factors in shaping day-night games in India.”ECB recently invited applications for the analyst’s position, and – I came to know this through some analysts I know – one of the important questions they asked was, ‘How big a factor is dew in Indian conditions in white-ball cricket?’ They’re looking to bring in the best analytical tools possible ahead of the 2023 World Cup, and they’ve asked all the pertinent questions, so you can see how crucial everyone in world cricket thinks the dew factor is in Indian conditions.”

The opener has arrived home from India after injury but will return for the ODIs

AAP23-Feb-20232:35

Chopra: Head is potentially Australia’s long-term Test opener

David Warner is not feeling the pressure and has vowed to play international cricket until 2024 even if the selectors end his prolific Test career.He arrived back in Sydney on Thursday after his tour of India was cut short due to a fractured elbow. Warner also suffered a concussion during the second Test defeat in Delhi and was subbed out of the match before play on day two.Related

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But the 36-year-old believes he is the right man to open the batting on this year’s Ashes tour despite scoring just one Test century during the last three years.”I’ve always said I’m playing to 2024; if the selectors feel that I’m not worthy of my spot, then so be it, and I can push on to the white-ball stuff,” Warner told reporters at Sydney Airport. “I’ve got the next 12 months, a lot of cricket’s ahead for the team and if I can keep scoring runs and putting my best foot forward for the team and I can help my spot, it’d be great for the team.”It’s easy pickings [for critics] when you’re 36 going on 37. I’ve seen it before with the ex-players as well. So for me if I’m taking pressure off the rest of the other guys, and no one’s worrying about the rest of the team, I’m happy to do that.”David Warner has left the India tour early•Associated Press

When asked if Warner was still in Australia’s plans for the five-Test tour of England in June, Australia selector Tony Dodemaide declined to commit to the aggressive left-hander.”We’re worried about what we can get out of these remaining two Tests [in India], obviously that’s a clear focus for us at the moment,” Dodemaide said on Wednesday.”We’ll address the Ashes planning [at a later time], but we are committed to picking the best fit and available players for Test series, particularly something as big as the Ashes.”That’s not a question that we’ve addressed so far. We are very keen, as everyone I’m sure at home would be, for us to get something out of this remaining series.”Warner has been joined by fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and bowling allrounder Ashton Agar in exiting the troubled tour, with Australia trailing 0-2 and their hopes of regaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy already over.

AC Milan are looking to pluck Kyle Walker from the transfer bargain bucket, with a discount being requested on Manchester City’s asking price.

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• Defender moved to Italy in winter window
• Permanent purchase option for the summer
• Man City expected to agree reduced terms

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The experienced England international made his way to San Siro in January as an emotional farewell was bid to the Etihad Stadium. The expectation was that the Premier League and Champions League title winner would remain in Italy beyond the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

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  A purchase option was included in the deal that took Walker to Milan, with City reportedly asking for €5 million (£4m/$6m). Even that would appear to be out of reach for the Rossoneri, who are seeking further talks.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  According to , the Serie A giants are looking to pay just €3.5m for Walker. There is said to be confidence that City will agree to the reduced terms as they are already in the process of identifying reinforcements at right-back.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KYLE WALKER?

  Milan boss Sergio Conceicao is ready to make Walker a regular starter in his plans next season alongside the likes of Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, with the 34-year-old seeing his early impact in Italy hindered by untimely injury setbacks.

Charles’ 39-ball ton powered WI to 258 but de Kock’s hundred helped the hosts win with seven balls to spare

Firdose Moonda26-Mar-2023Quinton de Kock’s first T20I hundred – and joint sixth-fastest in the format off 43 balls – helped South Africa complete the highest successful chase in T20Is. De Kock’s knock innings came in the second half of a run-fest on a belter of a pitch at SuperSport Park.In total, 517 runs were scored, the most in a T20 game, including 35 sixes, the most in a T20 international and two fewer than the most in any T20 match.Related

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SA vs WI records galore – 517 runs, 81 boundaries, 35 sixes

Johnson Charles was responsible for 11 of those sixes as he blasted his way to the joint second-fastest T20I century, and fastest by a West Indian, as they posted their highest score in the format. In the end, it was not enough.It was a tough day for bowlers on both sides, who struggled to get their lengths right. Only Kagiso Rabada conceded at under ten runs an over and there were poor disciplines on both sides, especially by West Indies. They bowled 10 wides and a no-ball compared to South Africa’s four wides and may see that as an important difference in the final result.The series decider will be played about 40 kilometres away, at the Wanderers, on Tuesday.Charles and Mayers do a demolition job The early dismissal of Brandon King dissolved into a footnote when Kyle Mayers and Charles got together for an exhibition of power-hitting that dismantled the home attack. Marco Jansen’s opening over cost 20, as Charles peppered the off side and Sisanda Magala’s first over went for 21 runs thanks to a merciless Mayers. He hit the biggest six of the innings when he sent Sisanda Magala 114 metres over midwicket, with the ball carrying over the hospitality suite roofs and into the practice nets. Charles brought up his fifty off 23 balls when he hit Tabraiz Shamsi over square leg, Mayers followed with a 24-ball fifty, and also brought his milestone up against Shamsi.West Indies were 62 for1 after the powerplay and 137 for 1 after the first 10 overs, which was their fastest start in a T20I. The openers were separated at the start of the 11th over, when Mayers miscued a pull off Jansen but by then, they had shared the third-highest stand for West Indies in T20I cricket – and all three of them have come against South Africa – and plundered 135 runs in 58 balls at a scoring rate of just under 14 runs an over.The carnage continues Charles was 18 runs away from his century when both Mayers and Nicholas Pooran fell to Jansen but he was undeterred. He sent Kagiso Rabada for six over square leg, then hit a Magala full toss over point for four and reached his century with a drive over extra-cover. Jansen was brought back and Charles sent him for sixes over extra-cover and long-off and then four through fine leg before he was bowled by a yorker that he seemed to have kept out but trickled onto his stumps. Charles scored 73 of his 118 runs on the leg side, including eight of his 11 sixes, and when he was bowled, West Indies still had six overs to bat.Johnson Charles’ 39-ball hundred ended in vain for West Indies•AFP/Getty ImagesShepherding the finish Romario Shepherd picked up from where Charles’ left off when he flicked a Parnell full toss off his pads for his first boundary. Then he tucked into Magala and took two sixes off his third over, prompting Aiden Markram to bring Rabada back. He wasn’t spared either as Shepherd and Rovman Powell hit 18 runs of his final over. Magala returned to deliver the last over and could not find his yorker. His full tosses were slammed over midwicket and long-on as West Indies scored 79 runs off the last six overs. Shepherd was unbeaten on 41 off 18 balls and Magala ended with the sixth most-expensive T20I figures.De Kock and SA break recordsThere’s probably no better batter to get a record chase underway than de Kock and he responded in exactly the way South Africa would have wanted. He started with consecutive fours off Akeal Hosein before slamming three successive sixes off Sheldon Cottrell in an over that cost 29. De Kock was then dropped on 32, when he tried to reverse-sweep Hosein and got a thin edge but Nicholas Pooran could not hold on, and he went on to make West Indies pay. In that over, South Africa equalled the quickest fifty by a Full Member team in T20Is and de Kock hit Hosein back over his head for six and then for back-to-back fours.De Kock then notched up South Africa’s fastest T20I fifty, off 15 balls. In the process, South Africa broke the record for the most runs by a Full Member team in a powerplay – 102 – and the fastest hundred by a Full Member in T20Is. They went on to score the most runs in the first 10 overs of a men’s T20I – 149 – and the 152-run stand between de Kock and Reeza Hendricks was South Africa’s fourth-highest of all time. De Kock brought up his hundred in the 11th over with a single.Hendricks helps himself With 46 runs off 21 balls in the first-wicket stand it would seem unfair to call Hendricks’ role merely a supporting act and he soon had the chance to take centre stage. After de Kock’s dismissal, Hendricks scored his first six when he sent Odean Smith over extra-cover and brought up his half-century off 22 balls. It was his fifth fifty in his last seven T20I innings and he was intent on moving through the gears from there. He scored 16 runs off the next five balls he faced including a scoop for six off Powell before he top-edged a slower bouncer and was caught behind. South Africa still needed 66 runs off 44 balls at that stage.Markram and Klaasen take it home West Indies pulled things back a touch after seeing the back of Hendricks. There were only two boundaries between the 14th and 16th over and David Miller was caught on the long-off boundary before Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen came together to finish things off. Markram destroyed Raymon Reifer’s figures when he scored 17 runs off his fourth over, including a six over long-on, and Klaasen took successive fours off Jason Holder to take the asking rate to less than a run a ball. South Africa won with seven deliveries to spare.

Gregor Kobel has been instrumental in Dortmund's qualification for the Champions League and he could now stay put, despite being linked with an exit.

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Many clubs have been scouting Gregor KobelGoalkeeper helped Dortmund secure top fourMay now be willing to remain in GermanyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea and several other clubs have been linked with a move for Gregor Kobel. There was intense speculation that the Swiss goalkeeper might switch allegiance, but according to Kicker, Borussia Dortmund's recent performance under head coach Niko Kovac, and the fact they've qualified for the Champions League, could derail the transfer plans of interested clubs.

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Dortmund's form dropped considerably in the middle of the season under former manager Nuri Sahin. The board then appointed Niko Kovac as the head coach in February. Kovac's arrival had an immediate impact on the team, as they went on to qualify for the Champions League, finishing fourth. Kobel, who had been expected to leave at the end of the season, suddenly became an instrumental part of the team. Now, following qualification and his recent performances, it's being suggested that the Swiss international might end up staying at the club.

DID YOU KNOW?

Borussia Dortmund secured Champions League qualification in the dying moments. Kobel who played a crucial role in the club's qualification was asked about his future post-match, the Swiss goalkeeper said, "I do not comment on such things at all. It was important to me that we were in the Champions League, because this club simply belongs in the Champions League. It is been a hell of a four years here."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR GREGOR KOBEL?

Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund have been in talks and exploring options that can help land the Swiss international at Stamford Bridge. Apparently, Dortmund is asking for €60m (£51m) for the goalkeeper. With the newfound UCL qualification, it will be exciting to see how things unfold at Signal Iduna in the summer and whether he now, ultimately, decides to stay.

Mehidy and Ebadot picked up two apiece as Ireland crumbled after Tector’s fifty

Mohammad Isam04-Apr-2023

Bangladesh dominated Ireland’s first day back in Test cricket, bowling them out for 214 in the first innings of the one-off Test in Dhaka. Taijul Islam took his eleventh five-wicket haul as the six-man bowling attack kept themselves ahead in most situations. The home side ended the day on 34 for 2, with Tamim Iqbal falling to Andy McBrine off the last ball of the day after looking quite confident for the last half an hour along with Mominul Haque. But McBrine got one to kick at Tamim’s forward press, to take the edge and fly to second slip where Mark Adair took the catch. He had earlier bowled Najmul Hossain Shanto with an in-ducker, the ball taking the inside edge on to the stumps, in the first over. The Ireland players were cock-a-hoop with the late wicket in an otherwise difficult day.Ireland made 214, their highest first innings score in Tests, batting out all but 30 minutes of the first day’s play. In a batting line-up that had six debutants and playing a Test after four years, it wasn’t a bad effort at the Shere Bangla National Stadium’s challenging conditions.Harry Tector’s fifty had some delectable shots, particularly his drives down the ground. He also slammed a straight six, but fell prematurely after adding 74 runs for the fourth wicket with Curtis Campher. It was the highlight of the Ireland innings as the pair played some splendid shots in the first hour of the second session. Ireland were at their most comfortable during this time, but it was roughly an hour before things started to change for the visitors.They got together after Ireland lost three wickets in the first session. Shoriful Islam removed Murray Commins with a delivery that cut back into his bat, given out lbw for five. Shanto caught James McCollum at second slip, at the second attempt, after the batter edged Ebadot Hossain.The Tector-Campher partnership ended when Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled Tector with a classic offbreak turning through his forward press. Tector struck six fours and a six in his 50 off 92 balls. This was a bad time for Ireland as they also lost PJ Moor, playing his first Test for Ireland after playing eight matches for Zimbabwe, and Campher, in the space of eighteen balls.Ireland could have folded early from 124 for 6, but they added another 90 runs for the last four wickets. Tucker added 35 for the seventh wicket with McBrine, before adding another 40 with Mark Adair, who made 32 off 52 balls. Taijul removed Tucker and Adair to complete his five-for. Mehidy closed out the innings with Ben White’s wicket in the 78th over.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Mumbai Indians franchise in the inaugural edition of the WPL, set to begin on March 4 in Mumbai. Harmanpreet was not the most expensive player bought by Mumbai at the auction last month but she was expected to lead the side, which will feature other top international names such as Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr.”As the national captain, she has led the Indian Women’s team to some of their most exciting wins,” Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani said in a statement. “And I am sure that with Charlotte [Edwards, head coach] and Jhulan’s [Goswami, bowling coach and mentor ] support, she will inspire our MI women’s team to play their best cricket, display a sense of pride, and bring even more glory to women in sports.”Related

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Mumbai had bought Harmanpreet for INR 1.8 crore (US$ 220,000 approx.), the third-most expensive for them after Nat’s INR 3.2 crore ($390,000 approx.) and Pooja Vastrakar’s 1.90 crore ($232,000 approx.).Harmanpreet has led India to the knockouts in the last three T20 World Cups, including the final of the 2020 edition in Australia. In the recent T20 World Cup that finished in South Africa last month, India narrowly missed out on the final berth when they lost to eventual champions Australia by five runs after Harmanpreet’s 52 off 34.Harmanpreet is the only player in the world – in men’s or women’s cricket – to have played 150 T20Is, with her Indian counterpart Rohit Sharma, who leads Mumbai Indians in the IPL, second with 148 games to his name.Harmanpreet will be in the team management with Edwards, Goswami, and batting coach Devika Palshikar. The squad also includes Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia and Amanjot Kaur as the other international India players.Mumbai will take on Gujarat Giants in the WPL opener on March 4 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

James Vince became the Vitality Blast’s all-time leading run-scorer but Will Jacks spoiled his night with 83 not out as Surrey beat Hampshire by six wickets.Vince overtook former Sussex star Luke Wright to reach 5054 runs in 169 matches with a superlative-ridden 88 not out as Hampshire totted up 156.But Jacks smashed eight maximums in an incredible riposte in a match dominated by one batter on either side as Surrey extended their unbeaten run, going back to 2015, over Hampshire to 11 matches.For Surrey it got them back to winning ways after defeat to Sussex Sharks, while defending champions Hampshire have lost two of their first three matches.Having been stuck in, Vince was forced to wait 17 balls before he finally faced a ball, and he only saw eight balls in the Powerplay – which saw Ben McDermott smash 18 before skying to square leg.Even when he got a go, things were less than fluent between him and Tom Prest, with a pacy hybrid pitch helping the ball skid past the edges and made timing tricky.There were hallmark Vince moments in there though, a powerful cover drive some swiveled pulls and he earned a life on 13 when Chris Jordan’s full stretch over his shoulder only pushed to the boundary.His fifty, his 57th in T20s, came in 37 balls, with the 83 stand with scratchy Prest forming the basis of the Hampshire total. Prest would get stumped for a run-a-ball 33 and Joe Weatherley and Ross Whiteley came and went but the moment was Vince’s.He overtook Wright in the most Vince way possible, a cover drive. When the stadium announcer Kris Temple informed the crowd of the record he reticently waved before dispatching the largest of his three evening sixes as a more apt celebration.James Vince broke Luke Wright’s T20 runs record•Getty Images

He is now the 18th-highest run scorer in T20 history, and a rare name on the top run scorer list never to have played in the IPL. He boasts the two best Blast seasons. And depending on the future of the Blast, his record may not be bettered.Vince ended up with exactly the same unbeaten 88 as against Middlesex on Friday night, and had almost single-handily guided Hampshire to a slightly under-par score – despite facing less than half the balls.Laurie Evans and Sam Curran also struggled to time the ball consistently and came and went, but Jacks found ways to power over the boundary. He flicked James Fuller over square leg before giving himself space to pump Nathan Ellis over extra cover.Mason Crane was next for the Jacks six-hitting showcase with a pair of heaves leg side as he arrived at his half-century in 36 balls, but soon saw Sam Curran stumped.Sunil Narine hit a six then holed out but Jacks continued his onslaught of Crane with a trio of sixes to swing the game toward the visitors. Jamie Smith assisted the cause with a 64-run stand with Jacks. It was fitting that Jacks scored the winning run with seven balls to spare.

Leicestershire bowled out for 112 as visiting legspinners share six wickets

ECB Reporters Network18-Jun-2023

Worcestershire Rapids kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast by ending a run of four straight defeats in the North Group with a comfortable six-wicket win over Leicestershire Foxes.The home side, bottom of the table with just two wins from nine matches, were dismissed for just 112 in 18.1 overs as legspinner Usama Mir finished with a T20 career-best 4 for 22 and fellow wristspinner Brett Oliveira took 2 for 17.Skipper D’Oliveira’s unbeaten 51 then saw his side home in the 17th over to raise their points haul to 10 as they bid to build on their four back-to-back wins at the start of the competition and clinch a top-four finish.Australian wicketkeeper-batter Peter Handscomb, not originally part of the Foxes’ Blast plans but drafted in as injury cover with batter Lewis Hill and overseas pace bowler Naveen ul-Haq among those absent, top-scored with 36 from 20 balls and Rishi Patel made 27 from 22 but the next-highest score was Wiaan Mulder’s 11.Having been put in on a slow pitch, the Foxes looked set to post a competitive total despite losing Nick Welch to the fourth ball of the innings, racking up 56 runs in the powerplay for that one loss.Welch miscued a big drive against Dillon Pennington but after Patel had launched a free hit over the long-on boundary following a Josh Tongue no-ball, Handscomb showed the Foxes what they had been missing by plundering two sixes and three fours.But everything fell apart for the home side just as soon as the Australian was out in the eighth over, bowled by D’Oliveira’s first ball as he was beaten trying to work to leg. The second-wicket pair had blitzed 64 in 39 balls but no other partnership exceeded 13 as one wicket followed another in rapid succession.The next over saw Mir – brought back by the Rapids as a replacement for the injured Michael Bracewell – dismiss Colin Ackermann and Patel in the space of three deliveries as the Foxes skipper was caught behind off an inside edge and Patel was leg before trying to slog-sweep after hitting two sixes in his 22-ball 27.Louis Kimber was bowled giving himself room to drive Mitchell Santner before Rehan Ahmed holed out to long-on. Mir took two in two balls, having Tom Scriven caught in the deep and bamboozling Mike Finan with a first-ball googly.Mulder’s ramp was well caught by a diving Pennington before the rout ended with Callum Parkinson trying to lob a ball from Pat Brown over D’Oliveira at extra cover only to be foiled by an athletic leap and one-handed catch.The last nine wickets fell for 46 as the Foxes were out in 18.2 overs, which can only be described as miserable, much as Mir and D’Oliveira had bowled well, requiring the visitors to score at less than six an over to win the game.Although the sky was darkening as they began their innings, the Rapids knew they could afford not to take risks so long as they kept in front of the DLS calculation, with just five overs needed to be bowled by the Foxes to make it a match.It thus did not matter that their 37 for 1 from the first six looked modest next to the home side’s 56 for 1, Jack Haynes the one loss as he clipped a ball from Matt Salisbury into the hands of Kimber on the leg side.Leicestershire gave themselves a faint glimmer of hope as Santner found the fielder on the long-off rope and Adam Hose bottom-edged a ball from Rehan into his stumps, the Rapids losing wickets in consecutive overs, but at 66 for 3 from 10, they were still in front on DLS with thunder rumbling nearby.Kashif Ali became a second victim for Rehan when he edged to short third man in the 15th over but by then only 21 runs were needed from 35 balls. Rain now was falling but the umpires sensibly kept the players on the field long enough for Ben Cox to sweep Ackermann for four and D’Oliveira to hit Finan for a mighty six over long on and a lofted four over extra cover to clinch victory with 22 balls to spare.