Leicestershire's 2011 season revolved squarely around their stunning success in the Friends Life t20 competition.

It was hard to find a backer for the Foxes at the start of the competition – hardly a surprise given that they had not even managed a home win in the competition the previous season.

But the availability of Andrew McDonald and the signing of Abdul Razzaq transformed a team of also-rans into champions – and worthy champions at that.

A rock-solid team ethic was at the heart of their triumph and, as the 20-over season developed, so did a never-say-die attitude. There was skill, drama and tension in equal measures packed into the Foxes' silver-lined campaign and here is a list of 10 of the most memorable moments.

1We all knew, just knew, that at some stage on finals day Paul Nixon was going to produce something special. And, true to form, Nixon found the golden ticket as he turned back the clock to snare a stunning one-handed catch which removed the considerable threat of Somerset's big-hitting Kieron Pollard in the final. It was the moment that the Foxes and their fans realised nothing could halt their march to a third trophy.

2Zero to Hero was the tale of Josh Cobb's first finals day. Out first ball to Glen Chapple in the semi-final against Lancashire, Cobb more than redeemed himself as Leicestershire lined up in the final against favourites Somerset. Only this time it was with the ball. His off-spin caused carnage in the Somerset ranks as their big hitters all perished to catches in the deep, Matthew Boyce showing no sign of big-match nerves as he clung on to all four chances to give his team-mate man-of-the-match figures of 4-22.

3T20 finals day is tense enough without 'eliminator' overs. But that is what Leicestershire and Lancashire faced in their tied semi-final at Edgbaston. Cometh the hour, cometh the man – and step up Will Jefferson to produce arguably the cleanest hitting of the day as he drilled two boundaries off Gary Keedy and a tracer-like six over mid-wicket to send the Foxes into their third final and, ultimately, on their way to cracking open the champagne.

4We all knew, just knew, that, having announced his retirement in the run-up to the quarter-final clash with Kent at Grace Road, Paul Nixon was going to produce something special. He did precisely that with an innings which was judged to near-perfection as he brought the Foxes back from the brink of defeat. His 31 from 17 balls was critical as Leicestershire chased a huge 204 for victory winning by three wickets in the final over.

5Nobody questioned Abdul Razzaq's pedigree when he signed for Leicestershire but to see the talent of the man in the flesh on his debut against Lancashire was the first hint that the Foxes could mount a serious challenge. Set 165 to win, the Foxes apparently needed snookers with 62 still required from four overs on a slow track in the Manchester gloom. Razzaq, with notable support from Wayne White, made a nonsense of that as he blazed his way to 62, which included five mammoth sixes, from 30 balls.

6All-rounder Andrew McDonald was a key man throughout the Foxes campaign. His 96 not out at Headingley, where the Foxes booked their quarter-final place, underlined that. It was a magnificent knock and, had the innings not been shortened by an over because of a heavy shower, he would surely, and deservedly, have reached three figures.

7There was work to be done for Leicestershire as their game at Derby went into the final overs. Set 161 to win, the Foxes were just about on course but could not afford any diversions. Enter James Taylor with a match-winning cameo, including a straight six off Steffan Jones – straight over his own head that is as the England Lions' man played an outrageous scoop shot to completely flummox the Derbyshire seamer.

8T20 is designed to be a batsman's game with the bowlers as cannon fodder. But left-arm seamer Harry Gurney threw down the gauntlet in 2011 and more often that not won his challenge. With 23 wickets, claimed in the powerplay overs or at the end of the innings, he was the Foxes main bowling threat and it was a sporting tragedy that a side injury prevented him from being in the line-up on finals day at Edgbaston.

9In the end, they counted for nothing as rain won the day on Durham's visit to Grace Road. But the five overs the supporters did see were wonderfully entertaining as Josh Cobb spanked the ball to all parts with a sizzling 54 off just 26 balls. The innings was laced with six fours and four sixes with the crowd taking cover not only from the rain but also a lustily-hit white cricket ball.

10Their quarter-final berth was already secure when Leicestershire travelled to Birmingham. However, their performance showed that there was to be no loss of momentum going into the sudden-death phase of the competition. In a rain-affected game that swung this way and that, it was left to Wayne White to deliver the decisive blow, launching Chris Woakes over the ropes with just one ball left to give the Foxes a five-wicket win.