>The Metro Bank One‑Day Cup heads to Kibworth Cricket Club New Ground on 13 August 2025 as Leicestershire Foxes welcome East Midlands rivals Nottinghamshire Outlaws. First ball is scheduled for 11:00 BST and the match will be played over 50 overs. The Foxes have endured a stop‑start campaign and were beaten by Gloucestershire in their last outing, while the Outlaws are also licking their wounds after a heavy defeat to Derbyshire. With both sides desperate to get back on track, this clash at the picturesque village ground promises plenty of intrigue. Head‑to‑head history favours Nottinghamshire; they have won four of the last five meetings with Leicestershire, but the Foxes know a win would reignite their season in front of local support.
Form Guide
Leicestershire Foxes: Captain Peter Handscomb’s side started their campaign with a win but slipped up against Gloucestershire, losing by three wickets. The defeat owed much to a misfiring top order as Rishi Patel and Soloman Budinger failed to give them a platform. Handscomb’s own century kept the Foxes in the game and he will need more support from the middle order and the lower‑order hitters.
- The Foxes have lost four of their last five games to Nottinghamshire and need to reverse that trend.
- Rishi Patel and Soloman Budinger will be keen to bounce back after low scores in the loss to Gloucestershire.
- Leicestershire’s bowling hinges on seamers Chris Wright and Ian Holland making early inroads, with Alex Green and Tom Scriven providing middle‑overs support.
Nottinghamshire Outlaws: The Outlaws remain in the top half of the table but enter this fixture following a crushing 127‑run defeat to Derbyshire. Captain Haseeb Hameed lamented a poor showing with bat and ball, and he and fellow opener Ben Slater must provide a solid start. The middle order of Sam Seecharan, Jack Haynes and Lyndon James misfired in their last outing, while their bowlers lacked penetration.
- Nottinghamshire have won four of the last five meetings between these sides, giving them confidence heading into this game.
- All‑rounder Daniel Sams was a bright spot in the Derbyshire defeat and offers power hitting and seam bowling.
- Seamers Brett Hutton and James Hayes need to strike early to put the Foxes under pressure.
Key Players
Leicestershire Foxes
- Peter Handscomb – The Australian keeper‑batter played a captain’s knock of 107 against Gloucestershire. His calm head and ability to build an innings will be vital on a surface that rewards batters who get set.
- Rishi Patel – The dashing opener missed out in the last match but has been a prolific scorer in limited‑overs cricket. A fluent start from Patel could ease pressure on the middle order.
- Alex Green – The left‑arm seamer returned an impressive five‑wicket haul (5‑52) despite his side’s loss. His ability to swing the new ball and strike in the middle overs makes him a key weapon.
Nottinghamshire Outlaws
- Ben Slater – The experienced opener top‑scored with 68 off 83 balls in their last game. His consistency at the top of the order gives Nottinghamshire a platform to post big totals.
- Daniel Sams – The Australian all‑rounder provides explosive batting down the order and accurate left‑arm seam bowling. He impressed with both disciplines in the previous game and can change a match single‑handedly.
- Brett Hutton – The seam bowler has been the Outlaws’ most reliable wicket‑taker. His ability to extract movement from grassy pitches will be crucial on a surface that assists fast bowlers.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Kibworth Cricket Club New Ground is a compact venue with a grassy pitch that offers early assistance for the seamers. According to match previews, the average first‑innings score at this ground is around 277 and teams batting first will want to post 300. The grass cover means bowlers get movement off the seam and batters must spend time before playing expansive strokes. Spinners have had little to work with, so variation and accuracy will be key. With most games in the competition being won by the chasing side, captains are likely to bowl first if they win the toss.
Weather in Leicestershire in mid‑August is typically mild, with temperatures in the low 20s Celsius and partly cloudy skies. A bit of cloud cover is forecast for match day which could aid swing bowling early on. The ground drains well, so unless a heavy shower arrives, an uninterrupted match is expected.
Leicestershire Foxes vs Nottinghamshire Outlaws Prediction
Leicestershire have home advantage but arrive low on confidence after their top order misfired against Gloucestershire. Their bowlers will need to exploit the new ball and take early wickets to challenge a Nottinghamshire batting line‑up full of experience. The Outlaws, despite a blip against Derbyshire, have won four of the last five meetings between the sides and boast a deeper batting order. If Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed can blunt the new ball and Daniel Sams provides late fireworks, Nottinghamshire should edge this contest. However, a big innings from Peter Handscomb or Rishi Patel could swing momentum back to the Foxes.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Peter Handscomb – Fresh off a century, the Leicestershire skipper anchors the innings and can accumulate big runs.
- Ben Slater – Nottinghamshire’s form opener offers consistency at the top and will likely face the most deliveries.
- Daniel Sams – His all‑round potential makes him a fantasy must‑have; he bowls key overs and can score quick runs late in the innings.
This East Midlands derby promises an absorbing contest as both sides try to steady their campaigns. With a grassy wicket offering something for seamers and the batting depth of Nottinghamshire up against Leicestershire’s fighting spirit, expect a closely fought encounter at Kibworth. Don’t miss the action as two proud counties vie for vital points in the One‑Day Cup.
