Leicestershire rue run-out

Leicestershire 211-6

v Nottinghamshire

The last action before rain suspended this Benson and Hedges match here 45 minutes after lunch yesterday might prove to be decisive.

James Whitaker, having twice been dropped in making his 72, pushed a ball from Greg Mike into the off side, rejected the idea of a single but then changed his mind. Andy Pick fielded, threw to the bowler's end and Whitaker was so far short of completing the run that Mike had time to gather the ball and turn before running the batsman out.

As Whitaker cursed his indecisiveness after hitting nine fours, Leicestershire were 211 for 6 and without much batting left. Two overs earlier they had also lost Ben Smith, caught by Tim Robinson, after a bit of juggling, at extra cover.

Provided they are not overly generous in the six overs they have still to bowl, Nottinghamshire will have a target that ought to be within their range. A win will take them into the quarter-finals.

If there are any potential banana skins, one might be a lack of confidence after a run of low scores; another a pitch on which none of the Leicestershire batsmen looked entirely at ease, particularly facing Chris Cairns and Andy Afford, both able to conjour the odd unpredictable bounce from the Pavilion End. There was turn, too, for Afford. This made the cut a risky stroke and it proved the downfall of both Darren Maddy and Hansie Cronje, both caught at the wicket in the attempt.

Maddy, 21 next week, opened the innings purposefully and was cross with himself for failing to build on his second one-day half-century. He was very lucky, though, to get six from a slice over cover off Cairns.

Chris Lewis, missing for two weeks, is still laid up with a groin injury and it was a bonus to Nottinghamshire that Cairns, struggling to overcome a side strain, declared himself able to bowl.