Lancashire vs Leicestershire Prediction & Match Preview – T20 Blast 2026
Match summary
Lancashire host Leicestershire at Old Trafford in the 21st T20 Blast match. Likely XIs, pitch and weather report, expected scores and our pick.
Match details
| Match | Lancashire vs Leicestershire, 21st Match |
|---|---|
| Series | T20 Blast 2026 |
| Date | 29 May 2026 |
| Start time | 5:30 pm GMT / 6:30 pm local |
| Venue | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Lancashire |
| Toss pick | Lancashire |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Lancashire entertain Leicestershire at Emirates Old Trafford in the 21st match of the T20 Blast 2026, an evening fixture on Friday 29 May starting at 6:30 pm local time.
Lancashire, captained by Keaton Jennings, are expected to line up with Michael Jones, Matthew Hurst, Ben McDermott and Joseph Moores in the top order, plus Chris Green and Harry Singh. Saqib Mahmood, Tom Hartley, Jack Blatherwick and George Balderson make up the bowling.
Leicestershire, led by Ben Green, field a batting group with Stephen Eskinazi, Soloman Budinger, Rishi Patel, Nick Kelly and Ashton Turner, with Ben Cox as wicketkeeper. Liam Trevaskis, Ben Mike, Josh Davey and Josh Hull share the bowling duties.
Mild, slightly cloudy conditions should give the new ball some swing in Manchester, and a score of 180-plus looks competitive while anything under 170 could fall short. If dew arrives, the side batting second may benefit, so the toss winner is likely to field first. Lancashire’s home advantage and depth give them the edge.
Old Trafford usually has a balanced surface, with a small advantage to bowlers early. Fast bowlers can find good swing and seam, particularly in overcast or humid conditions, which makes the powerplay challenging. As the ball gets older, the pitch settles and batters can build partnerships. The outfield is quick, and spin may offer some help later on. A competitive T20 total is around 165–180.
Mild and slightly cloudy at 6:30 pm local time, with temperatures around 19–21°C that cool as night falls. Passing cloud is possible but no significant rain threat is indicated. Light breezes could assist seamers early, and the conditions look fair for a full match.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 175–190 | – |
| Second innings | 165–180 | – |
Lancashire
Lancashire have home advantage, a strong batting group and seamers who suit Old Trafford’s early conditions.
Toss pick: Lancashire
FAQ
Who is our pick for Lancashire vs Leicestershire?
Lancashire, who are at home and have the stronger squad on paper.
Who captains Leicestershire?
Ben Green is listed as captain in the likely XI.
Will dew affect the match?
Light dew may appear in the second innings, which could slightly help the chasing side.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Lancashire
- Keaton Jenningsc
- Michael Jones
- Matthew Hurstwk
- Ben McDermott
- Joseph Moores
- Chris Green
- Harry Singh
- George Balderson
- Jack Blatherwick
- Tom Hartley
- Saqib Mahmood
Leicestershire
- Stephen Eskinazi
- Soloman Budinger
- Rishi Patel
- Nick Kelly
- Ashton Turner
- Ben Coxwk
- Ben Greenc
- Liam Trevaskis
- Ben Mike
- Josh Davey
- Josh Hull