Carberry relishing new challenge

New club captain Michael Carberry has promised Leicestershire CCC will play attacking cricket under his leadership, starting with tomorrow’s game against Loughborough MCCU.

The fixture was meant to be played over three days but is now down to two after rain washed out today’s play. It is now due to start at the Fischer County Ground tomorrow at 11am – although that is subject to an 8am inspection.

The opening batsman, who played several times for England, feels the Foxes can make a good start and have a competitive season.

“I've always been an attacking batsman by nature and I like to play my cricket in a similar way, but it's also about being smart on the day,” said Carberry.

“We have some good experience in the set-up and around the group, and also some good young players with a fair way to go in terms of development. I'm excited by the talent.

“Mark Cosgrove, Neil Dexter and Paul Horton all have good captaincy experience. It's important the young players have good leaders to look up to and learn from and I think in the tough early season conditions that will stand us in good stead.”

Carberry is adjusting to the pitches at Fischer County Ground, having played very few games at the Aylestone ground previously. 

He said. “I've had some good time in the middle in the pre-season friendlies, which has helped me. I've also been able to speak to [new Head Coach] Paul Nixon and [Assistant Coach] John Sadler, both of whom had great careers for Leicestershire, about the best way to bat here.”

Leicestershire CCC's first Specsavers County Championship fixture of 2018 is against Sussex at home, starting next Friday (April 20).

While Carberry is not setting any specific targets for his side, he is determined that Leicestershire CCC is more consistent. Patience will be vital, he says, especially for the bowlers. 

"The main goal for the season is simple: to play better cricket," said Carberry. “We need a good performance on day one, to then back it up on days two and three, and be in the game on day four as that is the key to success in county cricket.

“But one of my roles is also to help the younger players understand there will be bad days, and that it's about how you come back from that – one bad day doesn't have to mean the match is over.”

“[Head Bowling Coach] Matt Mason has come on board from Worcestershire, and we think similarly - a young bowling group will need to learn to stick to bowling plans for longer, they need to understand how long four day cricket is and how to stay in the game. The signs are good."

Leicestershire CCC has named a 13-man squad for the game against Loughborough MCCU, including new overseas signing Muhammad Abbas, who arrived at the Fischer County Ground earlier this week. 

There is plenty of competition for places in the seam department with Abbas joined by Zak Chappell, Ben Raine, Dieter Klein and Gavin Griffiths, while spinner Callum Parkinson is also in the squad.

On the batting front, Mark Cosgrove and Colin Ackermann played during the recent friendlies against Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire respectively after returning from Australia and South Africa. They are joined in the 13 by Carberry, Paul Horton, Neil Dexter, Ned Eckersley and Lewis Hill.

Leicestershire (from 13): Carberry (capt), Abbas, Ackermann, Chappell, Cosgrove, Dexter, Eckersley, Griffiths, Hill, Horton, Klein, Parkinson, Raine.

* Admission for the Loughborough MCCU game is free of charge. You can follow the Foxes at the Fischer County Ground throughout the 2018 season by becoming a Premium Member of the club. For further details on the advantages of joining us, please follow the link HERE