WORCESTERSHIRE slumped deeper into relegation trouble when they lost by 76 runs to Leicestershire Foxes in the National League Division One at Oakham School.

The County attack took a pounding as Virender Sehwag, Trevor Ward and Darren Maddy all hit sparking half-centuries for the Foxes in their total of 295-7.

Then on a perfect batting wicket their bowlers took charge, dismissing Worcestershire for 219 in 41.5 overs to send the Royals to their fourth defeat in a row and one off the bottom of the table.

Sehwag and Ward gave the Foxes the perfect platform for victory after they had won the toss with an opening standing of 129 in 15 overs.

They both produced some ferocious hitting with fast bowlers Nantie Hayward and Mark Harrity coming in for severe punishment.

Hayward was smashed for 35 runs off his first two overs and finished with no wickets for 64 runs in six overs, while Australian Harrity conceded 36 runs in his three-over spell as Ward and Sehwag both raced to their half-centuries.

It was electrifying stuff for the big crowd with the partnership finally ending when Ward was caught at cover off David Leatherdale for 68 off 43 balls.

Sehwag and Bradley Hodge then put on 50 with Sehwag finally out for 76 off 59 balls with eight fours and three sixes.

Another half-century from Maddy, who made 58 off 57 balls, kept the runs flowing and a target of 296 always looked a tough one to chase.

So it proved, despite an excellent 82 off opener Stephen Peters. However, no other Royals batsmen could reach a half-century and although they were 178-2, five wickets fell for 13 runs and their victory hopes were over.

Jeremy Snape took 3-35 in nine overs and David Brignull 3-40 to clinch a comfortable win for the in-form Foxes.