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Skipper's tough decisions worked

Leicestershire captain Jeremy Snape outfoxed his opposite number on two occasions as his side became the first to win the Twenty20 Cup for a second time.

The 33-year-old led from the front with some bold decisions, astute captaincy and some miserly spin bowling which left him with combined figures of 5-43 from seven overs on finals day.

The decision to drop both overseas players Adam Griffith and Mansoor Amjad in place of youngsters Ryan Cummins and Paul Harrison for the Final shows the 33-year-old is not afraid of taking a gamble.

And bringing back Stuart Broad for one over in the middle of the Notts innings which accounted for dangerman David Hussey was a stroke of genius.

Snape was delighted for his players, the management team and the thousands of Leicestershire fans who braved pouring rain to share in the team's celebrations at the end of a memorable day.

"We are not going to get too carried away with our place in history but this is a great competition and now we've won it twice," he said.

"We have worked really hard this season - played some good cricket and prepared really well. Today was no exception and we deserved to win both games.''

On the question of dropping both overseas players, Snape added: "Every management team are in a position where they always pick the best team they think will win a game - and we did that. We picked an XI that we thought could win the final and that came through."

Snape said he was particularly pleased with two of his young stars - Jimmy Allenby and Stuart Broad - who made a huge impact on the day.

"Broad has exceeded expectation all summer. We have tried to keep him quiet and keep him a secret but, every time we go on television, the camera doesn't lie. He's a young man with a very bright future. He's got a great cricket brain on a very athletic and agile body.

"He is a rare find. He's 6ft 7in, bowls at 87mph, swings the ball at pace, has got great control, can bat and he's a captain's dream - apart from that, he's struggling!

"He's a young player who has come through our system. We are working hard to bring on some youngsters and Tim Boon has done well and spotted some young talent and we are trying to make it a conveyor belt for youngsters to come through and he's the first.

"He's a player who could go into the top level of cricket and not come back into county cricket because he's got all of the pedigree.

"We would be delighted if he could stay with Leicestershire for as long as possible - but we know that time is limited."

"Jimmy, meanwhile, has had a great day. He's a young player coming into the side and not only did he bat with great maturity, but to bowl the last few overs like that was brilliant.

"Jimmy bowled a great last couple of overs, especially with the ball being wet and the lads needing rags to control it."

Snape also played down any controversy over Allenby's last ball of the game, which Notts coach Mike Newell said should have been called a no-ball.

With Will Smith having clubbed the waist-high full-toss for six, the home side would have needed three off the extra delivery for victory.

"I am a little disappointed as I thought it was fairly clear, but it happens I suppose," Newell said.

"I assume either umpire could have called it had they seen it - but Leicestershire were already celebrating, so it was a tough situation and, if they don't see it, they don't see it.

"I won't be mentioning it to the umpires. They're not going to change their minds now."

Snape replied: "I had complete faith in the umpires. There had been balls throughout the day that had been that height and the umpires haven't called it so they were very consistent throughout."

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