Cricket heroes given civic honour

Leicestershire Foxes beat Surrey Lions in the Twenty20 cup final

Leicestershire's cricket side is to be honoured with a civic reception following its win in the Twenty20 cup.

The side, nicknamed the Foxes, beat Surrey in the final at Edgbaston in Birmingham earlier this month.

The reception will be hosted by Leicester's Lord Mayor, Councillor Piara Singh Clair, at the Town Hall on 20 September.

"This reception is one way of showing our appreciation of the team's efforts," he said.

"The Twenty20 format has revived interest in the game of cricket and Leicestershire's success in the competition will no doubt inspire a new generation of local young cricketers."

Twenty20 cricket has shorter games and faster run scoring rates, with each side facing 20 overs each.

It has been a seen as a success since its introduction in 2003, drawing large crowds to cricket grounds.