Competition is key for de Bruyn

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Pierre de Bruyn is delighted to have competition for places as he looks towards the 2017 season.

The Foxes have a 24-man squad for the upcoming campaign and virtually every player will be available for at least two formats.

Sharjeel Khan, who is currently making his test debut for Pakistan in Australia, is the team’s NatWest T20 Blast specialist. The dynamic opener will be available for every game in that competition, which is a huge positive in terms of quality and continuity.

It means that de Bruyn will have a number of selection dilemmas but he is happy to be having headaches for that reason.

“It’s important that we keep progressing,” said de Bruyn. “Every player knows that last year’s benchmark is not good enough anymore and for most positions, there are three guys fighting for the one spot.

“I’m excited about the new signings but everyone is equal in what is a fairly big squad and I want everyone from top to bottom to have a fair opportunity to make the side. We have extra quality but competition is the key.

“Any young player’s dream should be to put pressure on senior players, you have got the right to do it and that is what sport is all about. It is really important that there is a good balance in the squad between young blood and senior players, so that learning can take place.

“If your senior players are below par, your younger players can follow suit. One of my priorities is to challenge the senior players, push them to improve by 10%, and make them understand that there is no given right for opportunity in the squad. Their job is to be a matchwinner and when they do that, the rest will follow.

“There could be four fast bowling spots but several guys sniffing for those spots, which is great. There will be permutations; horses for courses, such as ball speed, phenomenal skill, and so on. Selection is going to be interesting in picking specific bowlers for specific situations. Bowlers know that it is going to be an absolute bunfight to get a go, which is important.”

A good thing for de Bruyn is that there is also competition within competition, with all Foxes players offering more than one string to their bow. And whether the player is a batsman, a bowler or all-rounder by trade, de Bruyn is keen to stress the importance of fielding.

“Every detail is important, for example I want us to be the best fielding side in the country,” said de Bruyn.

“I expect everybody to be at a fielding level to be at a quality that can win a game of cricket. From 1-11, everyone has got to have the ability to hit the stumps directly or take a one-handed catch. All three disciplines are vital and in a squad of 24, you’ll have to cover all bases to get a regular game.

“If you can only catch balls in the inner ring but not the outfield, you have a problem. We’re in 2017 and the game is moving at a rapid pace.

“Fast bowlers can take one-handed catches on the boundary these days so everyone will have to be able to do that. Those are the challenges but players realise that small things will make a big difference to us.

“If we have all of the skills, stick together and believe in each other then it will spread like fire: ‘Those guys are a tough unit. They just don’t give up. The bowlers don’t leave an area. If a batsman gets to 100 they get 180.’ That’s the impression we’re going to create.”

* In the second part of the interview with Pierre de Bruyn, the Head Coach will look back at the 2016 campaign and talk about the club's plans for pre-season.

Don’t miss a ball during the 2017 season! Leicestershire CCC’s Membership packages are on sale through the club’s website HERE, or alternatively you can call 0116 283 2128.