Leicestershire clinch C & G semi-final spot as Worcestershire crash out

Leicestershire stayed on course for a one-day double by overwhelming Worcestershire by 118 runs to register an 11th consecutive victory in limited-overs competitions.

The undefeated Norwich Union League leaders booked their place in the C & G Trophy semi-finals by piling up 297 for 9 and then bowling out the hosts for 179.

The result was effectively settled in the opening 90 minutes when Shahid Afridi blazed 67 from only 44 balls to leave Leicestershire on a remarkable 150 for 3 when he was caught at cover in the 20th over.

The Pakistan all-rounder hit four sixes - one which embedded the ball in the slate roof of the New Road Stand - and six fours in an impressive follow-up to his 70 from 32 balls in a Norwich Union fixture at the week-end.

Afridi made himself a banker for the man of the match award while sharing in partnerships of 52 in nine overs with Trevor Ward (35) and 70 in six with skipper Vince Wells (34).

Worcestershire's target rate of almost six runs an over escalated as Anurag Singh and Graeme Hick fell cheaply to the new-ball pair, James Ormond and Scott Boswell.

DeFreitas then took two wickets in successive balls in his first over and Jon Dakin bowled Philip Weston for 40 after the opener had batted with a runner because of a knee injury.

Only an unbeaten 56 by Steve Rhodes allowed Worcestershire to escape their heaviest defeat in the 39 seasons of the competition. Their heaviest mauling stands at 143 runs - also by Leicestershire in 1979.

Wells was delighted with his side's performance.

"That was fantastic," he said. "The players took up the challenge and performed brilliantly out there.

"It was an awesome effort. It was probably our best one-day performance of the season but the nice thing about this side is that winning is never enough. We are still looking to find areas where we can improve."

Worcestershire coach, Tom Moody, could not hide his disappointment, but paid tribute to Leicestershire, tipping them for the trophy.

"It went wrong from the moment we lost the toss but I would like to start this game again with a fresh toss of the coin. I am sure the result would be different.

"I hope we bounce back. We are talking about it and will continue to talk about it over the next few days. This is only a minor hiccup; we have been playing some great cricket in the last few weeks.

"But you have to give credit. They are a very good side and they are playing to their potential. They outplayed us.

"I would be very surprised if they don't go all the way in this competition."