Could 2019 be England's Year in world cricket?
Increased optimism on the field is coupled with uncertainty off the field at Leicestershire. They have been in Division Two of the County Championship since relegation in 2003, but last summer’s showing hinted at a revival. They are in talks with the ECB though, about alleviating their financial difficulties.
Under coach Paul Nixon they won five of their 14 matches last year, and this time, with three going up to make a 10-team top fl ight in 2020, Foxes fans are hopeful. A Leicester man through and through (he has lived there for more than 30 years, although he did play for Kent for three seasons), he played in the sides that tasted glory in the 1990s (Championship winners in 1996 and 1998) and 2000s (T20 triumphs in 2004, 2006 and 2011).
Last year’s improvement followed a barren 2017 (with no Championship wins) under the intense coach Pierre de Bruyn, and four in 2016, under Andrew McDonald. Losing him was a blow he has underlined his pedigree by leading Melbourne Renegades to this winter’s Big Bash title but the initial successes of the ideas-laden Nixon have raised spirits. In recent times it has been quite hard for the city’s cricket fans, living in the shadow of the rugby union side Leicester Tigers (although they are not as dominant as they were a decade ago) and Leicester City Football Club (Premier League winners in 2016). They have stayed faithful however, and Grace Road (aka the Fischer County Ground) remains a pleasant spot to watch the game, with its large playing area, characterful if old-fashioned stands and the church bells often pealing nearby.
There has been a change behind the scenes this winter. Wasim Khan has departed as chief executive to be the new managing director of the Pakistan Cricket Board. He has been replaced by Karen Rothery, who starts officially on April 23. It will be her task to ensure the club’s ability to survive amid an uncertain future.
There is stability in the captaincy now after the much-publicised departure of Michael Carberry after he was stood down following a heavy Royal London One-Day Cup defeat to Nottinghamshire in mid-June. He did not play again, and has now left Grace Road with a year left on his contract. That would have taken some money out of this year’s playing budget, but at least Paul Horton is now settled in his role as Championship and 50-over skipper, with Colin Ackermann leading the Blast outfit.
One of the major challenges for the county is to try to prevent the departure of players to rivals. Last year Ben Raine returned to Durham after six years at Grace Road. He was the club’s leading wicket-taker in the Championship in 2018, with 51 at 22.47. Then fellow allrounder Zak Chappell – a key T20 player – joined Nottinghamshire. They followed in the footsteps of homegrown players like Stuart Broad, Nathan Buck, Josh Cobb, Harry Gurney, Darren Maddy, Darren Stevens, James Taylor, Shiv Thakor and Luke Wright who were lured away before them.
Leicestershire were delighted to announce that Callum Parkinson, Neil Dexter, Harry Dearden, Dieter Klein and Gavin Griffi ths have all signed new deals however. They also have high hopes for seamers Tom Taylor and Will Davis. When you add the great Mohammad Abbas (50 Championship wickets at 17.72 in 2018) and new signing Chris Wright (from Warwickshire), plus the handy Griffi ths and Dexter into the mix, it looks a decent attack. The batting was more problematic in 2018. And much will again depend on Ackermann, who made (the only) two centuries for the club in the Championship. Horton (who averaged 28) and Mark Cosgrove (a strangely low 18) will be looking to bounce back.
With his T20 pedigree he also coached the Jamaica Tallawahs to Caribbean Premier League glory in 2013 and 2016 Nixon will be keen on restoring Leicestershire’s hardearned reputation as a short-form powerhouse as well this year. Last year they won fi ve and lost eight, with one no result, in the Blast. Alas Leicestershire were unable to bring Afghan Mohammad Nabi back he has signed for Kent instead. Foxes fans will never forget his innings against Lancashire at Old Trafford. They needed 99 runs to win from 55 balls when he came in, and he scored 86 from 32 deliveries, with eight sixes. He will be missed. New signing Aron Lilley, who was with Lancashire, has bundles of Blast experience though.
