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Alfonso Thomas Urges England Selectors Not to Bench Rehan Ahmed During One-Day Cup Final

Leicestershire head coach Alfonso Thomas has called on England selectors to avoid naming Rehan Ahmed to a non-playing squad role that would sideline him from the upcoming One-Day Cup final against Middlesex. Speaking after Leicestershire’s semi-final win, Thomas emphasised that while national team selection takes precedence if Ahmed plays, keeping the all-rounder as a reserve would unnecessarily deny him valuable competitive cricket.

What Happened

Leicestershire secured their spot in the One-Day Cup final after defeating Nottinghamshire by 23 runs in the semi-final on August 16. Setting a total of 303 for 7, Leicestershire successfully defended their score, bowling out Nottinghamshire 23 runs short of the target. Hamza Shaikh anchored the Leicestershire innings with a century, scoring 104 runs.

Rehan Ahmed featured in the semi-final immediately after concluding his campaign with Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred. The all-rounder made an instant impact by scoring 31 runs from 36 deliveries, providing crucial middle-order support to Shaikh. Following the victory, Thomas addressed the media regarding Ahmed’s potential international commitments and his availability for the county final scheduled for September 20 at Trent Bridge.

Key Highlights

  • Semi-Final Victory: Leicestershire posted 303 for 7 and bowled out Nottinghamshire to claim a 23-run win on August 16.
  • Ahmed’s Impact: After joining directly from Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred, Ahmed contributed 31 runs off 36 deliveries.
  • Shaikh’s Century: Hamza Shaikh led Leicestershire’s batting effort with an innings of 104.
  • Final Matchup: Leicestershire are scheduled to play Middlesex in the One-Day Cup final on September 20 at Trent Bridge.
  • Coach’s Position: Head coach Alfonso Thomas stated that while playing for England takes priority, naming Ahmed as a non-playing squad member would be an unacceptable reason for him to miss the final.
  • Squad Injuries: Leicestershire suffered fitness setbacks during the semi-final, with Ben Green sustaining a quad injury and Steve Eskinazi picking up a shoulder injury. Ben Cox was struck by Haseeb Hameed’s bat but returned after passing concussion tests.

Why This Matters

England’s upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to overlap with the preparations and scheduling around the One-Day Cup final. This schedule clash creates the potential for national selectors to call Ahmed into the England squad near the time of the September 20 showpiece match.

Thomas clarified that Leicestershire fully respect the priority of international representation, stating, as quoted by the BBC, that if Ahmed is actively playing for England, that duty takes precedence. However, the county is firmly opposed to Ahmed being selected merely to “carry the drinks” on matchday rather than participating in a major county final. The issue is especially critical for Leicestershire as they contend with fitness concerns over key players Ben Green and Steve Eskinazi ahead of the final.

What to Watch Next

England selectors are expected to announce their squad decisions for the limited-overs fixtures against Sri Lanka in the coming weeks, which will determine whether Ahmed is selected and in what capacity. Meanwhile, Leicestershire’s medical staff will monitor and assess the fitness of Green and Eskinazi leading up to the Trent Bridge final on September 20.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where will the One-Day Cup final take place?

The One-Day Cup final is scheduled to be played on September 20 at Trent Bridge, where Leicestershire will take on Middlesex.

What did Alfonso Thomas say about Rehan Ahmed’s England selection?

Thomas stated that playing for England naturally takes priority, but he urged selectors not to pick Ahmed just to have him carry drinks from the bench when he could instead play in a major final for Leicestershire.

What injuries did Leicestershire suffer during the semi-final?

Ben Green picked up a quad injury, while Steve Eskinazi sustained a shoulder injury. Wicketkeeper Ben Cox left the field after being struck by Haseeb Hameed’s bat, but returned to action after undergoing concussion evaluations.

Source: Crictracker