Second XI T20 report: Bears at Foxes
Matt Lamb kept his name right in the Vitality Blast selection mix with two fine innings for Birmingham Bears 2nd XI in their friendly double-header with Leicestershire Foxes.
The day ended honours even as the Foxes won the first game by five wickets before the Bears took the second by seven wickets.
Lamb started the day strongly in the opening encounter with a violent 80 (45 balls) which included six fours and five sixes to lift the Bears to 191 for six at the Loughborough Town ground.
Supported by Will Rhodes (43, 39 balls) and a quickfire 26 (11 balls) from Aaron Thomason, Lamb ensured a commanding total. But it was not enough to deliver victory as the Foxes, captained by former Edgbaston favourite Ateeq Javid, reached 193 for five with eight balls to spare. Spinners Josh Poysden (two for 34) and Dom Sibley (two for 31) kept a brake on the runs but Adil Ali (76 not out, 47 balls, nine fours and a six) saw his side home.
Ali then starred for the Foxes again second time round when his unbeaten 87 (49 balls, eight fours, three sixes), along with Javid’s 34-ball 56 (six fours, two sixes) set Birmingham a tall target of 195 for six.
At 92 for three in pursuit, the Bears needed a big partnership and captain Sibley, in alliance with Lamb, provided it. Sibley struck a superb unbeaten 102 (55 balls, 13 fours, three sixes) and Lamb an unbeaten 48 (33 balls, two fours, three sixes) to see the Bears to victory with six balls to spare.