Snape does the trick

22 June 2007

Jeremy Snape completes his hat-trick by having Richard Pyrah caught and bowled

Leicestershire captain Jeremy Snape took a hat-trick as the Twenty20 Cup holders launched the defence of their crown with a thrilling 13-run win over Yorkshire at Grace Road.

After posting an impressive 154 for five in a game reduced to 16 overs a side because of rain, the Foxes limited Yorkshire to 141 for nine despite the visitors being given a flying start with an opening stand of 57 in five overs.

But when Craig White was caught at long-on off James Allenby, having hit 31 off 14 balls, the visitors lost their way and Snape ensured victory for his side with a hat-trick in the one over he bowled.

He had Tim Bresnan caught on the square-leg boundary, Jacques Rudolph taken at long-on and then held a smart return catch to dismiss Richard Pyrah.

Snape's spell left Yorkshire needing 53 off the last three overs for victory and, although Chris Gilbert gave them some hope by taking 19 off an Allenby over, including two successive sixes, Stuart Broad quickly put Leicestershire back on top again.

Stuart Broad celebrates the wicket of Darren Gough en route to figures of 2-28

The young fast bowler, named in England's one-day squad for the series against the West Indies, snapped up two wickets in his final over to finish with 2-28.

He had Darren Gough caught at third man and then knocked back Gilbert's off stump as the batsman aimed to leg.

That left the Phoenix facing the almost impossible task of scoring 26 off the last over and they fell well short.

David Masters also played a major role in Leicestershire’s victory with an impressive four overs that brought him the vital wickets of Anthony McGrath and Younis Khan at the cost of just 23 runs.

Opener Gerard Brophy was Yorkshire's top scorer with 44 off 33 balls, including seven fours, but fell victim to left-arm spinner Claude Henderson, bowled via his pads.

Snape elected to bat first after rain had delayed the start by 35 minutes and HD Ackerman and Paul Harrison provided a solid start with 33 off the first three overs.

But it was Allenby who provided the main fireworks, scoring an excellent 43 off just 33 balls, including two fours and two superb sixes.

Paul Nixon cashed in with 23 and a total of 154 always looked a competitive one.

Some sharp fielding and accurate bowling gave the champions the start to the competition they wanted in front of a full house on home turf.