Steelbacks suffer heavy loss as Leicestershire cruise to victory
Northants Steelbacks suffered a third successive Metro Bank One Day Cup defeat as they were comfortaby beaten by Leicestershire Foxes on Friday.
The Steelbacks had hoped to bounce back from defeats to Kent and Surrey, but the Foxes found life far too easy at the cinch County Ground, winning by eight wickets.
Rishi Patel was the star of the show in the Leicestershire reply as he smashed a stunning 115 from just 61 balls.
Ben Mike was also in brilliant form as he was sent in at No.3 and hit an eye-catching 71 from 63 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal (1-29) and Luke Procter (1-50) took a wicket apiece but the Foxes got home in just 38.5 overs.
Earlier, the Steelbacks had won the toss and opted to bat, but they were bowled out for just 246 in 45.3 overs.
George Bartlett again impressed as he hit 66, his fourth successive half-century, but no one else was able to pass 50, with Stuart van der Merwe (47) and Ricardo Vasconcelos (46) falling just short.
Three bowlers took three wickets apiece for the Foxes as Ian Holland (3-46), Ajaz Patel (3-47) and Alex Green (3-59) did the damage.
The Steelbacks, who are bottom of the standings, will now look to end their frustrating run when they host table-topping Lancashire Lightning in their next 50-over match on Sunday (start time 11am).