Former Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener Chris Lynn continued his fine form in England, smashing an unbeaten century in Northamptonshire's victory over Leicestershire in the Vitality T20 Blast in Northhampton on Wednesday, June 1. Lynn hit 106 runs off just 66 balls to put on a century-plus opening stand with Ben Curran (31), before combining with New Zealand international James Neesham for another century partnership.
Neesham himself smashed an unbeaten 75 in 30 balls, striking at a rate of 250 to reach an unassailable total of 227 runs and losing just one wicket. Lynn's innings included 12 fours and three sixes and the Australian smashed the ball with a strike rate of 160.60.
Lynn has kicked off life in the English T20 tournament in fine style, with scores of 16 and 83 prior to the ton against Leicestershire. In response to their 227/1, the Foxes scored a valiant 185/9 in reply.
For the Foxes, opener Scott Steel hit 64 from 45 deliveries. His stand of 65 runs in seven overs with skipper Colin Ackerman offered a glimpse of hope, before young left-arm wrist spinner Freddie Helreich came back from an early mauling to take three wickets for the second time in a week.
The Foxes began their bowling on a strong note and restricted the openers to just 48 in the powerplay. Naveen-ul-Haq was particularly impressive, beating the bat on several occasions. But once power-hitter Lynn found the middle of the bat it was difficult to stop the ensuing onslaught.
In the bowling department, the Steelbacks struck early when Ben Sanderson dismissed Hamish Rutherford and then caught Arron Lilley off the bowling of Tom Taylor. This left the Foxes in real trouble at 8/2, but Ackerman led the fightback.
Heldreich finally got his man when Ackerman hit straight to Graeme White on the long-leg boundary. Rishi Patel then fell to a stunning one-handed leaping catch by Rob Keogh on the deep midwicket boundary to give Heldreich his second scalp and leave the Foxes at 87 for four.
The Foxes went down in a flurry of wickets, Sanderson also collecting three scalps in the process as the visitors closed on 185 for nine.
