Leicestershire Advances to Quarter-Finals

Leicestershire secured a spot in the Metro Bank One Day Cup quarter-finals with a four-wicket victory over Gloucestershire, thanks to a crucial 120-run partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Peter Handscomb at Bristol's Seat Unique Stadium.

Chasing a revised target of 196 in a rain-shortened 36-over match, Leicestershire achieved their fifth win in six Group B games with 14 balls remaining. Handscomb remained unbeaten on 65, while Rahane contributed 62, helping Leicestershire recover from a precarious 19 for 3.

Gloucestershire, batting first, struggled on a challenging pitch and posted 192 for 9, with Cameron Bancroft top-scoring with 36. Leicestershire’s bowlers, led by Tom Scriven (3 for 37) and Liam Patterson-White (3 for 26), capitalised on the conditions to keep the hosts in check.

Leicestershire’s chase got off to a rocky start as they lost three early wickets. However, Rahane and Handscomb steadied the innings, guiding their team to victory. Rahane reached his half-century off 59 balls, while Handscomb followed suit, taking just 52 balls to reach the milestone.

Gloucestershire's bowlers, depleted by injuries and call-ups to The Hundred, initially made an impact, but Rahane and Handscomb’s partnership turned the tide. Although Rahane fell for 62, Louis Kimber’s explosive 28 off 18 balls sealed the win for Leicestershire.

Gloucestershire’s innings began well with an opening stand of 50, but Scriven’s introduction triggered a collapse, reducing them to 141 for 8. A late partnership between Graeme van Buuren and Tom Smith added some respectability to the score, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Leicestershire from claiming victory and securing a home quarter-final against Hampshire.