Aaron ready to make impact

Leicestershire CCC fast bowler Varon Aaron is ready to hit the ground running at the Fischer County Ground, starting with tomorrow’s Specsavers County Championship game against Derbyshire CCC.

Aaron will be with Leicestershire CCC for the next few weeks as cover for Pakistan international Muhammad Abbas, a period which includes three Specsavers County Championship fixtures and the Royal London One-Day group stages.

Paceman Aaron has bowled the quickest delivery recorded by an Indian fast bowler at 153kph (95mph), and is hoping a series of strong performances for the Foxes will help him force his way into the reckoning for the five-match series India will play against England later this summer.

“It’s good to be here, and my main aim is to do as well as I can for Leicestershire: only if I do that might I get a look in to the India side,” said Aaron.

“I want to play for my country again as soon as possible, that’s why I play cricket, and I want to take my skill level higher, and I feel that can only happen with the format you have here.

“I have only been here a few days but I have enjoyed getting to know my teammates and I am looking forward to looking around Leicester too.

“I wanted to play county cricket last year, so with not getting picked for the IPL [Indian Premier League] this year, Leicestershire’s approach came at a good time.

“The boys started well last week against Sussex, the batsmen did well in the game with both sides scoring more than 400, and we want to continue that good form. I am looking forward to the game tomorrow.”

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon said that Aaron has already impressed his new team-mates.

“He’s determined to force his way back into the India picture, he knows he’s got something to prove to do that, and he wants to go really well,” said Nixon.

“He’s already bought into what we’re about as a group, the lengths we’re looking to bowl and the attacking lines, and he’s been working on nipping it back off the seam as well as swinging it away.

“Varun loves English conditions and cricket balls, and he’s come into a confident dressing room with a good vibe right now.”

Leicestershire CCC has named a 12-man squad for the game against Derbyshire CCC with Aaron in line for his debut. Ned Eckersley is fit again after a groin injury ruled him out of the opening match against Sussex CCC.

Ateeq Javid and Zak Chappell are playing for the Second XI at Durham CCC this week, with Chappell continuing his recovery from a groin injury by playing as a specialist batsman. The all-rounder also bowled four overs yesterday to start his recovery process. 

Left arm quick Dieter Klein played in the 50-over friendly and on day one at Emirates Riverside but returned to train with the First XI this morning. Batsman Harry Dearden and bowler Richard Jones remain on the sidelines through injury.

Derbyshire CCC is bringing 14 players to the Fischer County Ground. The XI that claimed victory at Derby have been selected in the squad, alongside fast bowler Will Davis, spinner Hamidullah Qadri and batsman Callum Brodrick.

Leicestershire CCC (from 12): Carberry (capt), Aaron, Ackermann, Cosgrove, Eckersley, Dexter, Griffiths, Hill, Horton, Klein, Parkinson, Raine.    

Derbyshire CCC (from 14): Godleman (capt), Slater, Reece, Madsen, Hughes, Critchley, Wilson, Brodrick, Palladino, Viljoen, Rampaul, Olivier, Davis, Qadri.

* It's the perfect opportunity to join Team Leicestershire as a Member for the 2018 season during the game against Derbyshire CCC. Call into reception or join online HERE