Worcestershire 184 for 8 (Hose 63, Kashif 41) defeated Leicestershire 168 (Cox 55, Kimber 53, Waite 5-21) by 16 runs.
The Worcestershire Rapids ended their seven-match losing streak in the Vitality Blast with a 16-run win over Leicestershire at New Road, dealing a blow to Leicestershire's knockout stage hopes.
Worcestershire posted their highest score of the season, largely thanks to Adam Hose’s 63 off 39 balls, surpassing their previous best of 181 for four against Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford.
Leicestershire spinners Lewis Goldsworthy and Rehan Ahmed bowled effectively, combining for figures of 8-0-45-3 before Hose’s late assault. Despite their strong start, Leicestershire's batting lineup collapsed to 28 for 5 due to impressive bowling by Tom Taylor and young Harry Darley.
Louis Kimber reignited Leicestershire’s chances with their fastest-ever T20 fifty off 21 balls, including five sixes in two overs. Kimber and Ben Cox added 85 runs in eight overs, but Kimber's dismissal for 53 dashed their hopes of an unlikely victory. Ben Cox continued to fight, reaching 50 off 35 balls, but Matthew Waite ended the innings with a flurry of late wickets, including Cox in the final over, achieving a career-best Blast return of 5 for 21.
Despite several close losses, the injury-hit Rapids delivered a convincing performance. In contrast, Leicestershire extended their winless streak to four games, including two defeats, a tie, and a washout. They were boosted by the return of captain Peter Handscomb (shoulder), Rehan Ahmed (concussion), and leading wicket-taker Scott Currie (injury).
After winning the toss, Handscomb opted to bowl first. Jimmy Neesham made an early breakthrough when Brett D'Oliveira edged to third man. Kashif Ali found his rhythm with a four and a six off consecutive balls from Josh Hull. Josh Cobb, inside-edging Mike for four, was then caught down the leg side by former Worcestershire keeper Cox. The Rapids scored 61 for 2 in the power play but lost Gareth Roderick to Rehan Ahmed.
Kashif, having hit Goldsworthy for a straight six, was lbw the next ball. His 41 came off 25 balls with two sixes and three fours. Ethan Brookes also fell to Goldsworthy, but Hose kept the scoreboard ticking. Ed Pollock was caught at long-off by Kimber, and Currie trapped Waite lbw, causing Worcestershire to lose momentum. However, Hose ensured a competitive total with several big hits, reaching a 33-ball fifty before being caught by Cox off Neesham.
In Leicestershire’s reply, Rishi Patel, the competition’s leading scorer, was bowled for a duck by Taylor. Darley claimed his first Blast wicket as Rehan sliced to Brookes at wide third. Darley then dismissed Handscomb, caught by Pollock at mid-wicket, leaving the Foxes at 9 for 3.
Taylor struck again, catching Sol Budinger behind, and Waite removed Neesham similarly. Kimber’s remarkable hitting briefly revived the Foxes before he was caught by Cobb off Brookes. Waite then took two wickets in two balls, dismissing Mike and Goldsworthy, and finished the job by sending back Cox and Currie in the final over to complete his five-for.