Leicestershire Foxes and Middlesex set to battle it out for One Day Cup glory

Trent Bridge will once again stage the final of the men’s Metro Bank One Day Cup on Sunday as Leicestershire Foxes and Middlesex go head-to-head for the second piece of white-ball silverware on offer in the county season.

Placed in the midst of a dramatic conclusion to the County Championship campaign and more than a month since the semi-finals, the one-day final (and competition as a whole) no longer carriers the same degree of status in the calendar from the historic days at Lord’s.

However, while its new home at Nottinghamshire’s Trent Bridge will be far from a sold out crowd, for all those involved at Leicestershire and Middlesex it still represents a hugely significant opportunity.

Despite its diminished relevance, the final act of the One Day Cup has continued to produce memorable moments over the years and the chance for perhaps less high-profile county names to write the headlines – most notably when Leicestershire triumphed in a last-ball thriller against Hampshire in 2023.

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Road to Trent Bridge

Rather fittingly, the two remaining sides in the competition both finished top of their respective groups.

Leicestershire were one of three teams to accrue 20 points but earned direct progression to a home semi-final as a result of a superior net run rate.

The highlight of their five wins were two nail-biting chases at home to Gloucestershire and Warwickshire, as well as a 164-run mauling of Somerset.

It was an all-East Midlands affair in the last four, where the Foxes produced a superb fightback with the ball to defend 303 against a strong Nottinghamshire batting lineup who had chased so brilliantly in their previous outings.

As for Middlesex, they were dominant in rattling off seven wins from their eight group games – the only blemish being a narrow defeat during an inspired run of form with the bat from Worcestershire’s Jake Libby.

The standout performances involved a dismantling of the Glamorgan batting lineup at Radlett in which they bowled the Welsh county out for just 66, as well as a hugely impressive final-over chase of 304 away at Durham.

It was a strong Durham side whom they met again at the semi-final stage, in what proved to be one of the more memorable games of the season where Luke Hollman, along with tailender Tom Helm, heroically guided the hosts from 145-7 to their victory target of 255 with eight balls to spare.

Foxes eye repeat scenes to end despondent week on a high

Leicestershire were hit with bombshell news on Wednesday evening when it was announced that the club had received an immediate 27-point penalty, in relation to the nature of their surface against Glamorgan last month.

Considered a slightly harsh punishment by many, that effectively confirmed an immediate return to Division Two next season – after having ended a 23-year top flight exile – midway through their crunch basement battle clash with Hampshire.

The East Midlands side admirably went on to complete their third County Championship victory of the season with a confident chase of 334 to keep their chances of survival a mathematical possibility, albeit relegation remains a near certainty at title-favourites Warwickshire next week

They would otherwise have been eight points ahead of Essex going into the final round of the season.

A performance full of character given the context, and Sunday will provide another opportunity for the county to give their fans something to be proud about in their local rivals’ backyard, just as they did in 2023 when 19-year-old Josh Hull defended eight off the last over as Leicestershire edged out Hampshire by two runs in a dramatic final, to the delight of jubilant Foxes fans who made the short journey up north.

Glamorgan in 2021 and 2025 are the only side to lift the trophy twice since the competition began in 2014 as a replacement to the 40-over predecessor.

Leicestershire may also be the joint-most successful T20 side in the country but have not been to Finals Day since their third title in 2011 and can never underestimate the significance of success for one of the traditionally smaller counties.

Middlesex aim to end white-ball drought

What makes Sunday’s final so intriguing is that both sides are desperate for on-field success.

Middlesex have faced financial and leadership turmoil for a number of years as one of England’s growing list of crisis clubs, with very little to shout about since winning the County Championship crown a decade ago.

This will be their first List A final in 36 years, with a further two years since their last List A honours (coincidentally the same period of time for Leicestershire ahead of the 2023 final).

White-ball cricket has been a real struggle for the London side, having only reached the knockout stages twice since they won the competition in 2008.

Having fallen short of mounting a serious promotion push in the County Championship for the past three seasons since relegation, the Trent Bridge final represents a golden opportunity to deliver rare success to the county.

They too have experienced a setback in the build-up, with club captain Leus du Plooy unavailable for selection after an administrative blunder to register the batter – who averages 54 in List A cricket – as an overseas player by the September deadline following the 31-year-old’s sudden decision to switch his international allegiance back to South Africa.

Middlesex are still hopeful of du Plooy’s inclusion with discussions ongoing.

Who to watch out for?

Leicestershire had an unlikely hero three years ago in the form of local lad Harry Swindells who made an unbeaten century to rescue his side from 19-4 to post what proved to be a match-winning total of 267-7.

Worcestershire all-rounder Ethan Brookes produced the decisive knock 12 months ago, but who could be the game-changers this time around? Well, there are plenty of them.

Leicestershire’s new recruit Hamza Shaikh, 20, has enjoyed an impressive campaign with 509 runs at an average of 84.83, including his second of two centuries in the semi-final win over Notts.

With the ball for the Foxes, it has been a second consecutive standout One Day Cup campaign for England U19 bustling quick Alex Green with a joint-competition high 18 wickets at under 20.

Middlesex’s new ball star Naavya Sharma is a name to keep a very close eye on, in what is a fascinating prospect to see two exciting young English fast bowlers perform in the pressure of a domestic final.

The 21-year-old has had a breakthrough season with 35 wickets in the County Championship and a further 17 at 18.88 in the One Day Cup, as part of a formidable attack which includes fellow young gun Noah Cornwell (15 wickets in the ODC) and the highly-experienced Toby Roland-Jones.

Ahmed returns and players aiming to bow out in style

Middlesex’s run to the final has been built around a solid foundation at the top of the order. Both Josh de Caires and Nathan Fernandes have registered 380 runs with a century apiece.

Ben Geddes is set to lead the Middlesex side and is a fine batter who featured for the England Lions this summer, while all-rounder Luke Hollman has already demonstrated his match-winning capabilities in the semi-final.

Elsewhere, Leicestershire have announced England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed will be available.

He has only played once in the competition due to The Hundred but could provide the all-important X-factor quality to swing the game with bat or ball.

Batter Rishi Patel is joining Hampshire at the end of the season, whilst wicketkeeper Ben Cox is also a surprise name set to leave Leicestershire.

Both will be eager to bow out in style.

One Day Cup finals at Trent Bridge

2021: Glamorgan beat Durham by 58 runs

2022: Kent beat Lancashire by 21 runs

2023: Leicestershire beat Hampshire by 2 runs

2024: Glamorgan beat Somerset by 15 runs (match was reduced to 20 overs per side)

2025: Worcestershire beat Hampshire 3 wickets (DLS)

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