Chappell relishing home double-header

Leicestershire Foxes all-rounder Zak Chappell believes home advantage can be a big factor as the Foxes look to bounce back in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

After a good start to the competition, defeats on the road at South Northumberland and Welbeck mean that the Foxes may need to win their three remaining matches to qualify for the next stage of the 50-over competition.

But with the next two games, against Northants Steelbacks tomorrow (2pm start) and Derbyshire Falcons on Sunday (11am start), to be played at the Fischer County Ground, Chappell believes the Foxes can go into their final match, against Yorkshire at Headingley on Tuesday, still very much in contention.

“We’ve hit some very good scores in the Royal London this season and we know a couple of bad games will not define us,” said the 20-year-old. “We’ve been playing some good cricket and will put the last two games behind us.

“Having to win our last three doesn’t change anything, because we go into every game fighting to win, and our batters like playing at the Fischer County Ground, they can hit through the line of the ball and it really suits the way we play.”

In the two matches played at the FCG, the Foxes have hit scores of 319 against Worcestershire and 363 versus Warwickshire, the club’s record List A total against another county.

Chappell has played in all five Royal London One-Day Cup matches, on the back of Specsavers County Championship appearances against Notts and Glamorgan, and after missing much of last season through injury, is relishing his first long run in the first team.

He has impressed with both bat and ball, recording career-bests in both disciplines over the course of the last two matches.

Chappell said: “When you’re in and out it can be difficult, but this year I’ve not been injured too much, touch wood, and I feel like I’m making a consistent contribution, and it’s good fun!

“It’s tough, physically, but you get through it and get stronger, and winning matches quickly takes away any aches and pains.

“It’s been good to come up against some very good cricketers too, but I’ve found you don’t think about reputations when you’re out there, I’m just thinking how to get them out or how to score runs against them. Afterwards you might think about it, but not at the time.”

Even so, Chappell has had some useful post-match chats with opponents, including a former Leicestershire all-rounder, Stuart Broad.

“It was really helpful to talk to Stuart, about different theories and fields and run-ups, and he offered a lot to think about. You can only benefit by listening to someone with his record, just as from the likes of our own Clint McKay. I have picked up a lot of knowledge from Clint, such as the way he uses slower balls.”

Batsman Colin Ackermann returns to the Foxes squad for the visit of Northants after recovering from a finger injury. Ackermann comes in for off-spinner Rob Sayer (hand), who misses out after picking up an injury in the field at Welbeck. Ben Raine, Neil Dexter and Richard Jones are also ruled out of tomorrow’s game.

The Foxes are once again admitting u16s free when accompanied by an adult, an offer that stretches across both Royal London One-Day Cup fixtures this weekend.

Foxes (from): McKay (capt), Ackermann, Ali, Chappell, Cosgrove, Delport, Eckersley, Griffiths, Hill, Klein, Parkinson, Pettini, Sykes, Wells.