Leicestershire beat Hampshire by two runs in Trent Bridge thriller to win the One-Day Cup and their first List A trophy in 38 years as Harry Swindells rescues them with unbeaten century and bowler Josh Hull holds his nerve

• Leicestershire recovered from 19 for four to post 267 for seven in their innings
• Hampshire needed eight runs off last over to win with Liam Dawson at crease 
• But 19-year-old bowler Josh Hull held his nerve to dismiss Dawson and seal win 

Cricket’s forgotten competition produced a final to remember as Leicestershire scooped their first List A trophy in 38 years.

Local lad Harry Swindells was the Foxes’ hero, striking an unbeaten 117 from No 8 in his first One-Day Cup game of the season to help his side recover from 89 for six to 267 for seven.

Hampshire needed eight to win from the last over, with England all-rounder Liam Dawson still at the crease.

But 19-year-old left-arm bowler Josh Hull held his nerve, dismissing Dawson for 57, as Leicestershire won by two runs in a thriller at Trent Bridge.

While this One-Day Cup has been largely overshadowed by the Hundred, this was still a famous win for the Foxes, whose last List A trophy success was the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1985.

Leicestershire claimed a first List A trophy win in 38 years as they lifted the One-Day Cup

Harry Swindells hit an unbeaten 117 from No 8 to did Leicestershire out of a deep hole

And it comes at the end of a tumultuous season for the marginalised county, which saw Paul Nixon suddenly removed as head coach in June and key players announce their departures.

‘To stick together the way we have, I am really proud of all the players,’ said Foxes captain Lewis Hill.

‘We have pictures up at Grace Road of our trophy wins and I said at the start of the year, ‘Guys, let’s get up there’. I knew we could do something special with the players we have and we have done that.

‘This trophy shows we are going in the right way and teams like Leicestershire are needed in county cricket.

‘I have seen some of the darker times at Grace Road, so it is great to see the good times returning.’

Victory for Leicestershire had looked a long way off when, after winning the toss, they were left reeling on 19 for four, with Keith Barker ripping through their top order with three quick wickets.

Scott Currie – who actually played for Leicestershire on loan in the County Championship earlier this week – then removed Louis Kimber and Hill, with Hampshire eyeing an easy win.

But Swindells then came out to join Sam Evans, the only two Foxes players who did not play in their semi-final success over Gloucestershire. And the academy graduates enjoyed a game-changing seventh-wicket partnership of 151.

Josh Hull held his nerve in the final over to take the wicket of Liam Dawson and seal victory

Hull (right), captain Lewis Hill (middle) and Wiaan Mulder celebrate Leicestershire’s victory

Evans hit an important 60, but the star of the show was Swindells, who was serenaded by chants of ‘He’s one of our own’ by the vocal section of Foxes fans in a sparse crowd of 6,139 at the 17,500-capacity Trent Bridge.

The wicketkeeper-batsman had spent his summer largely playing Second XI cricket, with Australian overseas player Peter Handscomb keeping him out of the first team.

But with Handscomb, who had hit five fifties in the competition, having returned Down Under, Swindells was drafted in for this final. And he punched the air twice as he struck his maiden List A hundred off 90 balls with a four down the ground.

‘It’s been a difficult year, I’ve not played as much as I’d have liked,’ said Swindells. ‘I wanted to continue where Pete left off. He has had a brilliant year so I wanted to do him justice. It’s a massive day for the club.’

Hill added: ‘Harry’s knock was one of the best innings I’ve seen live. He only knew he was playing on Friday. He hasn’t played a game in the competition, so to come in and do that, it is testament to his character and skill level. He is a cracking individual and a fine player.’

Still, Swindells’ innings looked like it could all be in vain when Tom Prest hit 51 for Hampshire, and then Joe Weatherley and Dawson came together at 136 for five and put on 82 for the sixth wicket.

Weatherley fell for 40 to a brilliant diving catch from sub fielder Will Davis running in from deep backward square, and Ian Holland went to an equally good grab from Hull at fine leg.

But Hampshire remained favourites while Dawson was still there, and he brought up his half-century with a six over extra cover off Hull in the 48th over.

Keith Barker (second left) had earlier ripped through Leicestershire’s top order

However, the 6ft 7in Hull – who only made his first-team debut this season – got his revenge in the last over when he had Dawson caught at fine leg. And victory for the Foxes was secured when Barker failed to hit Hull’s last ball for a boundary.

‘I’m really proud of Josh,’ added Foxes skipper Hill. ‘He didn’t have his best day with the ball up until the final few overs, but he came back and bowled really well. He has a massive future ahead of him. I can see him in a similar line to Stuart Broad.’

Hampshire’s Prest, 20, added: ‘To come short by two runs, that game could have easily gone our way. We are all absolutely gutted at the moment but we have had a brilliant campaign.’

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