"A Great Start" | Patel Proud Of Second XI Wins

It’s not just Leicestershire’s First Team who can’t stop winning. After securing their second victory in as many games last week to maintain their 100% start to the season, we caught up with Second XI Head Coach, Dips Patel.

The Foxes’ most recent win “ wrapped up inside two days at Kibworth “ formed part of a Leicestershire double over Northamptonshire, with the First Team also defeating their East Midlands neighbours over the weekend.

“It’s been a great start,” Patel says. “The boys have been champing at the bit for a while now, watching the First Team play as well as they have. So, to get their opportunity and to get two wins is brilliant for us as a Club and for the lads as well.”

The 2s backed up a seven-wicket win over Worcestershire at Uptonsteel County Ground a fortnight prior with an emphatic two-day crushing of Northamptonshire last Tuesday. Leicestershire cruised to a 10-wicket triumph, with the likes of Chris Wright (3/19), Liam Trevaskis (5/65), and trialist Sheridon Gumbs (115) all playing starring roles.

“It was a phenomenal performance. To win inside two days shows just how well we played, and it was a bonus to bring through players like Chris Wright and Sam Wood who have been working hard to get back bowling.

“Wrighty’s spell was fantastic on the opening morning. When he comes back into the First Team, we'll only be stronger for it. It was nice to get Woodsy with ball in hand too, because he was brilliant in the winter this year. It was unfortunate timing when he picked up his injury, but he's a bit of a dark horse for me. Hopefully he's firing fit and performing like he can soon.”

The duo were among the First Team contingent in action, with all-rounder Liam Trevaskis also showcasing his credentials by claiming a second five-fer on the spin. Figures of five for 65 in the afternoon during day two set up a nominal chase of just 40, a contribution which impressed Patel.

“Liam’s been exceptional,” the 48-year-old says. “He's still working on things to improve, but he's put the ball in the right areas. He continually had the stumps in plays and hit the front pad a lot. Liam’s a good competitor.”

Leicestershire’s two wins have, in no small part, been credited to the performances of in-form captain Harry Swindells. With the bat, he’s registered scores of 45, 91*, and 55, while his orchestration in the field has also drawn Patel’s praise.

“Harry's a brilliant leader. I’ve known him since he was 10 and he's always been a bit of a leader for me. I think he possesses an intelligent cricket brain first and foremost, but his passion and the way he puts pride into wearing the badge on his sleeve is amazing.

“He's been great with the guys and has performed fantastically. Harry’s very much a Leicester boy that wants to do well and wants the county to do well.”

Another eye-catching display came from former Surrey opener, Sheridon Gumbs. The 20-year-old, who played four List A matches in 2022, scored a sublime first-innings century to help the Foxes accrue a 207-run lead.

“I've known Sheridon since he was a little boy, because his brother was at Loughborough University, and he played at my club when I was captain there. I watched his career at Surrey and when he played for England Under-19s, and I just liked what I saw.

“He's got time on the ball, plays strong shots, and I think there's a high ceiling there. It was nice for him to score 100, facing 236 balls, that's what you want to see. You want to see people who can bat two and a half sessions and take the game away from teams, and he definitely showed that.

A chance to evaluate released players like Gumbs, who would potentially otherwise be lost to the system, is one of the boons of Second XI cricket, Patel believes.

“We try to utilise trialists and pick up one or two good players that can perform at first team level, not just at second team level. I think Sheridon can do that.”

Second XI cricket also offers the opportunity for Academy scholars to mix with Leicestershire’s First Team stars, adding to the knowledge gained during their education with the Club’s pathway. The camaraderie between the groups has impressed Patel.

“We’ve had a mix of senior players, Academy lads, and trialists, but I have to pay credit to the professional staff who have been brilliant around the group. They all get on really well. They'll go for a coffee in the morning, turn up together and meet up afterwards.

“The conversations they have are invaluable to the guys coming through. There’s so much knowledge sharing, showing them how they go about their business, and just being good teammates. There's an amazing feel about the Club across all teams.”

It’s a positive energy transferred between Patel, First Team Head Coach; Alfonso Thomas, and Head of Talent Pathway; Jigar Naik.

“There's really good support from the First Team. There’s great unity between the groups and it’s the same from me to Academy as well. Jigar and I talk on a daily basis. We are both very passionate about getting our own Leicester lads playing Second Team cricket.

“Guys like Ali Farooq and Usman Minhas have performed very well in the last two games, and we’ve given more opportunities to lads like Jamie Dunk and Jay Madan to progress their cricket too. Jay made 84 in the first game, and Dunky a match-winning 66. It's rewarding to see homegrown players capitalise on their opportunities.”

Leicestershire's Second XI revert to T20 action, when they take on South Asian Cricket Academy at Uppingham School on Thursday afternoon.