Finan and Thomas Earn US T20 Calls

Leicestershire duo Michael Finan and Alfonso Thomas will both fly out to America next month after being selected for the US Open T20 Premier League.

Left-arm quick Finan will join Samp Army, who finished as runners-up earlier this year in the league’s T10 format, while Thomas has been appointed as Head Coach of Clarion County Eagles.

The 14^th iteration of the competition, which has been expanded to a 12-team tournament for 2022, will see all matches hosted at Central Broward Regional Park in Florida, running across nine days between 5 and 13 December.

Two groups of six will compete in a round-robin format, before the top two in each group progress to the semi-finals ahead of the showpiece event on 13 December.

Finan, 26, impressed after signing his first professional contract in August, taking 13 wickets at 27.84 and averaging 25.5 with the bat during his three County Championship fixtures for the Foxes in September.

The Tameside-born bowler displayed his short-form prowess during this summer’s National Counties T20 competition, claiming 15 wickets at an average of 14.46, while conceding at just 6.14 runs per over.

Speaking about his selection, Finan said: “I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to get out there and get stuck into another new challenge.

“It will be great to test myself in different conditions and hopefully I can return as a better short-form player because of it.”

Thomas, First XI Assistant Coach and Lead Bowling Coach, will become head honcho at Clarion County Eagles, the franchise represented by Leicestershire all-rounder Arron Lilley during the 2021 edition of the tournament.

The former Somerset bowler developed a formidable reputation in T20 cricket as a player, ending his career as the county’s leading wicket-taker, a record which stood until earlier this year when Max Waller went past Thomas’ 137 scalps.

The South African possess leadership experience after taking the reins during the high-profile India Tour Match at Uptonsteel County Ground in June, while he has decorated franchise history after winning the 2013 BPL with Dhaka Gladiators and back-to-back Big Bash titles with Perth Scorchers during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.

Commenting on his appointment, Thomas said: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to become a Head Coach and I think that will be crucial for my development.
“It will help me strengthen my skillset coming back to Leicestershire, and who knows, I might find a rough diamond that we can bring into our T20 setup.”

Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, added: “It’s great news that members of both our playing and coaching staff have been recognised for exciting opportunities.

“The Club is very proud of both Michael and Alfonso and we want to wish them luck for their time in the US.”