Dashing India opener Virender Sehwag had a promising start to his debut county season but was unable to post a big score for Leicestershire, who lost to defending champions Glamorgan by 44 runs.

Barely six hours after flying into Heathrow from Delhi on Sunday, Sehwag showed glimpses of his talent as he scored a sparkling 23, with four boundaries from crisp cuts and cover drives, off 33 balls.

Glamorgan swept to 249 for five, the vigorous postscript being an unbroken partnership of 59 in 32 balls between David Hemp and Mark Wallace off the bowling of David Masters and Jeremy Snape.

Hemp made 83 not out, with nine fours and a six from 96 balls, while Wallace super-imposed his brief batting display with four catches at the wicket as Leicestershire were dismissed for 205, despite a valiant half-century from Darren Maddy (80).

Sehwag's signing has already paid dividends, however, with the club reporting a surge in interest and support from the Asian community.

The 24-year-old with a strike rate of almost a run a ball in limited-overs internationals struck the ball so sweetly but, after Andrew Davies hit him on the toe, he found deep mid-off with another elegant but slightly mistimed stroke, possibly the result of jet lag.

There will be little respite for the Indian. He was off to Bristol last night for another National League game and then goes to the other end of the country, Jesmond, for Wednesday's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy tie.

Result: Glamorgan (4pts) beat Leicestershire by 44 runs.

Glamorgan: 249 for 5 wkts in 45 overs (D L Hemp 83 not out, M J Powell 40, M P Maynard run out 43.

Leicestershire 205 all out (41.3 overs) (D L Maddy 80, V Sehwag 23, D I Stevens 22 J N Snape 20).