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McKay's five-star performance

Former Australia paceman grabs career-best T20 bowling figures to lead Leicestershire to victory

Clint McKay has turned the clock back to lead Leicestershire to a five-wicket victory over Worcestershire Rapids in England’s domestic Twenty20 competition.

The former Australia paceman collected a remarkable 5-11, the best-ever figures by a Leicestershire bowler in the T20 format and surpassed the 5-13 his former Victoria Bushrangers teammate Andrew McDonald against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 2010.

McKay started his rampage by removing Rapids opener Joe Clarke for a duck, with Mark Cosgrove completing the catch.

Brett D'Oliveira (2) was next to fall victim to the 34-year-old, with ex-New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi completing the catch.


McKay then turned his attention to the middle order, removing Kiwi allrounder Mitchell Santner (21) and Ross Whiteley (1) with consecutive deliveries as the Rapids slipped to 6-111.

McKay completed his first five-wicket haul in a T20 fixture with the scalp of Ed Barnard (15), who holed out to long-on in the final over of the innings, with Worcestershire reaching 8/148.

The haul backed up the 3-29 McKay took against Lancashire earlier this week, giving him 8-40 at an average of five from two matches.

Leicestershire (5/149) reached their target with nine balls to spare on the back of Colin Ackermann’s unbeaten 47 off 36 balls.

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“It was a great night. We came here to get the two points and we’ve walked away with it, so great start to the season so far,” McKay said.

“Two and zip the first two games. You can’t ask for much more from the boys, they’ve been fantastic.”

“It’s always nice to get wickets. It’s just one of those things, Twenty20 cricket. Some days you can bowl well and go for fours and other days you don’t bowl as well and get some wickets.



“I’m just pleased to contribute to the team at the moment and I think all the boys are chipping in and doing their role.

“Whatever I can do to help the Foxes win games of cricket, I’m very happy to do.”

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McKay endured a lean tournament with Sydney Thunder in BBL|07, finishing with four wickets at 49.50 apiece from seven matches.

But he is a proven performer in the shortest format and is the equal fourth highest wicket-taker in BBL history with 46 from 40 appearances for the Thunder and Melbourne Stars.

McKay played only one Test for Australia but was a key member of the ODI side, grabbing 97 wickets in 59 matches for his country. He also played six T20Is for four wickets.

Leicestershire, who sit third on the table, will next take on fellow undefeated team Warwickshire on Sunday.