Worcestershire Bowlers Set Up 18-Run Win Despite Kelly and Cox Fightback at Grace Road

Worcestershire won by 18 runs in the T20 Blast 2026 as their bowlers defended 188 despite a spirited fightback from Nick Kelly and Ben Cox. The 3rd match of 112 this season saw Leicestershire fall short chasing a stiff target on T20 Blast opening night at Grace Road.

First Innings – Worcestershire 188/9 (20 overs)

Worcestershire posted a challenging 188/9 after being asked to bat first, though it was far from straightforward – nine wickets fell on a surface that offered something throughout.

Brett D’Oliveira set the tone with a quick-fire 15 off 8 balls, smashing three fours before falling caught at 43/3.5 overs. Isaac Mohammed was the standout at the top, cracking 42 off 26 with six fours and two sixes in an aggressive start before departing at 60/5.6 overs.

Kashif Ali contributed 28 off 20 (4×4, 1×6) and Adam Hose added 19 off 13 – the middle order chipped in without anyone truly kicking on. It was the lower order that provided the late impetus. Ethan Brookes blasted 18 off 10 at a strike rate of 180, and Sikandar Raza clubbed 25 off 15 with three fours and a six to push the total past 150.

With the ball, Josh Davey was excellent, returning 3/32 from his four overs at an economy of 8. Ben Green was the most economical bowler on show with 2/25 from four overs at just 6.25. Josh Hull went for 41 from his three overs, while Ashton Turner picked up a wicket from his only over.

Second Innings – Leicestershire 170/4 (20 overs)

Leicestershire’s chase of 189 was undermined by a powerplay collapse that left them with too much to do. Stevie Eskinazi was bowled for 9 off 10, Sol Budinger managed just 16 off 18, and Rishi Patel fell for 3 – leaving the hosts 32/3 after 5.5 overs.

Turner provided a bright spark with 22 off 13 (2×4, 1×6, SR 169) before falling caught by a substitute fielder at 81/10.5 overs. But the real resistance came from Kelly and Cox.

Nick Kelly hit 61 not out off 42 balls, finding four fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 145. Ben Cox matched him blow for blow with 51 not out off 32 (4×4, 1×6, SR 159). Their unbroken 89-run stand gave Leicestershire hope, but it was not enough – they simply ran out of overs. The damage was done in the powerplay.

Tom Taylor was tidy with 1/23 from three overs, while Adam Finch took 2/32 and Usama Mir chipped in with 1/30 from four overs.

Statz MVP – Josh Davey (mi_rating 89.37)

Josh Davey takes the Statz MVP award with a mi_rating of 89.37. His 3/32 from four overs at an economy of 8 was the most impactful bowling performance of the match. Davey bowled for Leicestershire – the losing side – making him another Statz MVP in defeat. The Statz mi_rating formula calculates impact based on match context, and Davey’s wickets at crucial moments stood out above everything else.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Josh Davey – 89.37
2. Ben Green – 76.26
3. Nick Kelly – 73.42
4. Ben Cox – 73.38
5. Isaac Mohammed – 58.74

Turning Point

Rishi Patel’s dismissal at 32/3 in the 5.5th over. Leicestershire were chasing 189 and needed 157 from 87 balls with seven wickets in hand. The top-order collapse meant Kelly and Cox had too much ground to make up, no matter how well they batted.

Match Context

This was a T20 Blast opening round fixture. Worcestershire move to 7th in the table on 4 points with a net run rate of +0.90. Leicestershire sit 12th on 0 points with a net run rate of -0.90. Early days, but Worcestershire will be pleased with a clinical bowling display away from home.

View the full scorecard on Statz