DERBYSHIRE were left with an uphill challenge after getting on the wrong end of Scott Styris' debut for Leicestershire in their opening NatWest t20 Blast match of the season.
The New Zealand veteran, holder of the third-fastest t20 hundred of all time, powered to 63 not out off 31 balls with seven fours and three sixes as the Foxes scored 197-4 after being put in to bat.
Mark Footitt took Derbyshire's first wicket with the second ball as Niall O'Brien was caught at third man off a big outside edge to make it 1-1 but Josh Cobb struck three sixes in his 38 before he was stumped off Wes Durston at 70-2.
Greg Smith added 35 before he was caught at short fine leg to make it 94-3 after 11.2 overs before Ned Eckersley was caught at mid off from Jon Clare's bowling for 33.
That was 138-4 in the 16th but Styris provided the late firepower to hurt the Falcons.
His 50 came off only 26 balls, with six fours and two sixes, and he finished with 63 not out to take Leicestershire to a formidable total.
