Leicestershire Foxes v Lancashire Lightning

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With the sun beating down on a parched Uptonsteel County Ground, Lancashire Lightning’s power-packed, international-class line-up proved too much for Leicestershire Foxes, who raised a slightly below par 156-7 on a slow pitch.

Lightning’s top three of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone, with 275 T20I and 1,194 total T20 games between them, coolly managed the reply, reaching 91 for 1 off the first 10 to leave the second half something of a stroll.

Livingstone reached a 28-ball half-century in an eventual 74 and even though Rehan Ahmed had Salt lbw, with Ben McDermott, debutant Shadab Khan and Livingstone following, Lightning were too strong and ran out winners by five wickets with seven balls to spare.

Keaton Jennings said:

“They probably got away from us a little bit in the Power Play but for the rest of the game we were clinical.

“Livi has been a cut above all campaign. He’s one of the best batters in the world at the moment the way he is hitting the ball. His options, how clean he is striking, the speed of his swing, and the passion he has when playing for Lancashire is exceptional. Long may it continue. I’m really pleased.”