Eckersley ready for huge week

Ned Eckersley wants to put his injury problems behind him and make a big impact for Leicestershire CCC in the business end of the 2018 season.

Eckersley began the campaign with a groin issue which saw him missing the opening Specsavers County Championship fixture against Sussex CCC, and then had to have surgery on his little finger after taking a ball awkwardly when keeping wicket at Durham CCC.

Friday’s record-breaking Foxes innings of 229 for five saw Eckersley come back into the side, and he marked that return with a quickfire 10 not out and a particularly impressive performance behind the wicket, taking two sharp stumpings off the bowling of Callum Parkinson.

County's wicket-keepers are blessed to be coached by Paul Nixon, one of the finest glovemen to have played for Leicestershire CCC, and Eckersley is full of praise for his Head Coach and the work they have put in.

“We’re lucky at Leicestershire CCC that we have three good wicket-keepers,” said Eckersley. “Lewis and I have done it for the first team this summer and Harry Swindells is a massive talent as we’ve all seen in the Second Team throughout the summer.

“Nico [Paul Nixon] has really helped me, I feel like I’ve made big strides with my wicket-keeping and it’s a role that I’m really enjoying in the side.”

Wednesday starts a busy week for the Foxes as Lancashire Lightning visit the FCG in front of the Sky cameras. The Foxes then make the short trip to Notts Outlaws on Friday night, followed by the return of the Specsavers County Championship as the side travel to Kent.

Having missed a big chunk of cricket in 2018, Eckersley is absolutely raring to go for a huge week ahead.

He said “Obviously I haven’t played as much cricket as most of the group and the nature of my injury meant I was able to do a lot of a gym work, so I feel in brilliant condition.

“It could be a really big week for the club. If we were to secure victories in all of our games we’d be on course for a brilliant season with so much to play for in both competitions.”

One man who has been in particularly good form this summer is Eckersley’s housemate - and one of his closest friends in the dressing room - Ben Raine. Eckersley feels that Raine has earned all of the success that he is having.

Eckersley said: “Rainey [Ben Raine] has been one of our most consistent performers for years now. I was delighted to see him earn his cap last week as nobody deserves it more than him, and the way he then performed on Friday night was absolutely sensational.

“It was striking of a cricket ball like I’ve never seen before. We all knew he could hit the ball cleanly and that hard, but to do it pretty much throughout the innings - and virtually chanceless - is incredible.”

“Ben [Raine] works so hard on all areas of his game, whether it’s on his batting with Sads [John Sadler], his bowling with Mase [Matt Mason] or the mental and tactical side with Nico [Paul Nixon].

"He deserves all the success he’s having this year, especially after missing chunks of last summer with injury. If he isn’t already a Foxes legend, he’s well on his way to being one.”

* The best value tickets for the visit of Lancashire Lightning are available in advance – a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 under 16s is available for £37 ahead of the fixture. Secure your seat at the Fischer County Ground today HERE