CHRIS LEWIS believes Leicestershire can win ``two or three trophies, as long as the team keep believing in themselves''. The way the all-rounder is inspiring his side this season, few at Grace Road are likely to bet against the feat.
Lewis ended a memorable week yesterday by playing a leading part in an AXA Law League match against Northamptonshire as Leicestershire struggled to repeat the phenomenal run-making of the previous evening when they hit 210 in 19.1 overs to beat the same rivals in the county championship.
Twenty-four hours later, Leicestershire were back at the crease on a slow, green pitch which halted the free-flowing scoring of their batsmen. The push and prod was in contrast to Friday which ended in a champagne celebration and took them into second place in the championship table.
Lewis was on a high yesterday after he had contributed 71 off 33 balls in overhauling Northants. ``The sky's the limit,'' he said, about the side he is captaining this season in the absence of the injured James Whitaker.
The victory over Northants was a timely tonic for Leicestershire who, Lewis admits, handed the Benson & Hedges trophy to Essex last Saturday through bad bowling. He aimed the criticism mostly at himself and Alan Mullally after an opening spell when they both failed to take advantage of good conditions.
Leicestershire regained their confidence by first defeating Surrey on Monday in an AXA League game and then with the win over Northants in a four-day game which went the full distance, producing more than 1,300 runs.
In contrast to the buoyancy of Lewis and company, Northants officials, including coach John Emburey and captain Kevin Curran, must face members on Tuesday evening to explain a dismal season.
Despite a large playing staff and the recruitment of Frankyln Rose, the West Indian fast bowler, Northants are bottom in the championship table and have blown their chances in all the one-day competitions.
While Emburey applauded Leicestershire for their run chase on Friday, he struggled to explain why captain Curran insisted on bowling Rose and Paul Taylor throughout the onslaught. Northants lacked variety, Emburey felt, and fielding also let them down.
At least Emburey had something pleasing to watch yesterday when Northants bowled tightly to restrict the home side to 140 for nine off 40 overs. The match proved how fortunes can change quickly in cricket. Leicestershire amassed 204 in 20 overs on Friday, but yesterday stuttered to 61 for five in the same period.
Lewis pulled them round by scoring 32 off 65 balls before holing out off Jeremy Snape to Mal Loye on the long-on boundary. Dominic Williamson joined the rescue, making the same score.