Ackermann extends contract with Foxes
Mon 2 Jul 2018
Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce that in-form batsman Colin Ackermann has signed a contract extension ahead of the Vitality Blast campaign.
The 27-year-old Ackermann has extended his stay at the Fischer County Ground until at least the end of the 2020 season and has also been named as T20 captain of Leicestershire Foxes ahead of the Vitality Blast competition.
Ackermann has scored almost 1,000 runs in 20 innings in 2018; he is leading the run-scoring charts in Specsavers County Championship Division Two, scoring 689 runs at a mightily impressive 68.90, and averaged above 40 in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Ackermann said: “I am extremely pleased to be extending my contract with the Foxes. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I look forward to more good times to come. It is a great honour to be captaining the Foxes in the Vitality Blast and we’ll be looking to go one better than last season and make Finals Day.”
Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon added: “We’re absolutely delighted that Colin [Ackermann] has committed his future to the club. He has had a terrific first half of the season and will now lead us during the Vitality Blast campaign. It’s an exciting time of year and everyone is looking forward to it.”
The batting all-rounder was a key figure in the side that reached the T20 knockout stages in 2017. He scored 255 runs, including two calm unbeaten fifties to guide the Foxes to wins against Lancashire Lightning and Yorkshire Vikings, and took a career-best 3-21 in the victory at Birmingham Bears. Ackermann was also named as captain of the team when Clint McKay was injured.
Ackermann said: “I enjoyed leading the side last season and we again have a nice blend of youth and experience. Zak Chappell is just 21 but can bowl 90 miles per hour and hit the ball out of the ground, and someone like Mohammad Nabi has played T20 all over the world.
“We’re all excited to see what Nabi can bring, and his experience of performing under pressure and winning games will be crucial. Our young spinners, such as Callum Parkinson, will learn a great deal from him, just as the seamers have with Muhammad Abbas. We can go a long way in this tournament.”
Ackermann’s first game in charge of the Foxes will be the tournament opener against Northants Steelbacks at Wantage Road on Wednesday, followed by two home games in three days against Durham Jets (Friday, 6.30pm start) and Notts Outlaws (Sunday, 2.30pm start).
* Colin Ackermann's first Vitality Blast home game as captain of the Foxes is against Durham Jets on Friday, July 6. Tickets cost just £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s in advance of the fixture. Secure your seat at the Fischer County Ground today HERE
