Virender Sehwag scored a quickfire 76 from 59 balls to steer Leicestershire Foxes to a 76-run victory over Worcestershire Royals in a National Cricket League one-day match at Oakham School on Sunday.
Sehwag, who hammered eight fours and three sixes, put on a breezy 129 with his opening partner Trevor Ward (68) in 15 overs, the county's highest for any wicket in five years.
Leicestershire's score of 295 for seven looked vulnerable at one stage as Worcestershire Royals needed 120 from 15 overs with eight wickets in hand.
However, a decisive bowling spell from Jeremy Snape, who took three wickets in 16 balls, sealed the fate of the Royals.
Earlier, an estimated 2,000-strong crowd got their money's worth as Sehwag and Ward tore apart the bowling attack, raising visions of a total approaching 350. But some good bowling by off-spinner Batty and David Leatherdale put the brakes on the Foxes.
In another match, Indian middle order batsman Mohammad Kaif scored 44 as Derbyshire beat Sussex by six wickets at Arundel.
Riding on a 129-run knock by M W Goodwin, Sussex scored 232 for six in 45 overs. Derbyshire reached the target with six wickets in hand and 3.1 overs to spare.
