Measured Bevan quick to douse Warwickshire's high spirits

Warwickshire 189 Leicestershire 193-6 Leicestershire win by 4 wkts

In high spirits after their startling victory over Surrey in the Championship on Saturday, Warwickshire's Sunday went flat as they were comfortably beaten here in a match that turned recent one-day form on its head.

Restricted to 189 from 45 overs, a score that always seemed below par even on a pitch lacking real pace, they only briefly appeared capable of mounting a successful defence as Leicestershire achieved their third victory of the season in this competition against the Benson and Hedges Cup winners, who had started the day joint leaders.

A superb unbeaten 66 by Australian Michael Bevan, hitting 10 fours and a six in only his second appearance of the season in the Norwich Union League, ably assisted by Neil Burns in an partnership of 102 for the fifth wicket, effectively saw Leicestershire home, but it was the success of Phillip DeFreitas in the pinch-hitter's role that set up the opportunity. The 36-year-old former England bowler struck 49 off 37 balls, including nine fours and a straight six off Dougie Brown, as Leicestershire overcame the second-over loss of Trevor Ward to reach 65-2 in 10 overs, Iain Sutcliffe the other casualty when he provided a second catch at the wicket for Keith Piper.

There was a momentary wobble when Mo Sheikh dismissed Darren Stevens, caught at mid-off, and DeFreitas, making room to carve, in the same over, followed by the loss of captain Vince Wells without scoring in the next over, reducing Leicestershire to 87-5.

With more than 30 overs left to score 103, however, Bevan and Burns were into their stride. Warwickshire never again glimpsed victory, although Burns, who ultimately was out with the scores level, escaped a low catch to Michael Powell at short mid-wicket on 12. There were 9.1 overs to spare when Bevan struck the winning boundary.

Warwickshire appeared to have built a useful platform at 113-3 in the 30th over, largely due to Nick Knight's 92-ball half-century. The England left-hander's 64-run partnership with Dominic Ostler frustrated the home side for 14 overs and he went on to make 86 off 126 balls with five fours before lofting Carl Crowe to long off, the off-spinner finishing his spell with wickets from his last two balls.

However, Warwickshire failed to build on these foundations. As Leicestershire bowled with discipline, the visitors lost their last five wickets in four overs for the addition of only 13 runs.