Focus is on next challenge - Ackermann

Leicestershire’s NatWest T20 Blast opening day match-winner Colin Ackermann said the team will not rest on their laurels after a terrific victory at Lancashire Lightning last weekend.

Ackermann was the heartbeat of the Foxes' chase of 174, making an unbeaten 62 off 41 balls that included six fours and a brace of maximums – the second of which, off the last ball, sealed a thrilling three-wicket success.

The 26-year-old was the coolest man on the ground despite it being a pressurised situation on one of the hottest days of the season, and his calm persona will help as the team refocuses ahead of tomorrow’s game against Worcestershire Rapids at New Road. 

Ackermann said: "I just said to myself 'If I bat through, we'll win the game'. That's the positive mindset that I have. We started with good intent from Luke (Ronchi) and Cameron (Delport), while Mark (Cosgrove) also played well. It allowed me time to get myself in.

"I would have liked to have finished it off a bit earlier, but we’d definitely have taken a winning start whichever way it came. It was a tough week of travelling, and they had a partnership going, so it was a great effort to restrict them to 173.

"Each team will have class players, that's just the way the competition is structured. Each team will have internationals and match-winners, like Lancashire had Jos Buttler. He played really well, but it was our day.

“I think it’s key now that we don’t get too carried away with the win. We know Worcestershire will pose another difficult challenge and we will need to be at our best again.

“In any form of cricket it’s about taking it one game at a time but I think it’s even more applicable in T20. One good or bad result on its own won’t define the campaign but it’s important to be as consistent as we can be.”

Ackermann was praised by Head Coach Pierre de Bruyn, who has seen the batsman win many a game over the years. 

He said: “Colin is a true leader, the way he finished the game shows what he’s all about in terms of character. His job is to control the game and finish it off for us, and he did just that.

“We could have maybe made life easier for ourselves in the chase but hey, we’ve got to be happy with a win, especially the way the first ten overs of the game went. 

“Now it’s important that we build on it. One thing we learnt from the 50-over competition is that one win isn’t enough. It’s all about backing it up. While we acknowledge that every game is treated on its own merit, it’s important that we look to build an unbeaten run as often as we can.”

de Bruyn acknowledges that life won’t be easy at New Road, particularly as Worcestershire lost their opening game to Birmingham Bears.

“Worcestershire will be looking for a response after losing their big derby and we know that they have a talented squad.

“They are a really competitive side in all formats, and it is never easy going there, but while we will respect them, we’ve had a few days to prepare for the game and we’re looking for another two points.”

Leicestershire have named an unchanged 14-man squad for the trip to Worcester, so Aadil Ali, Rob Sayer and Dieter Klein will travel along with the XI who played at Liverpool.

Worcestershire have added all-rounder Alex Hepburn to their squad following some recent impressive performances for the Second XI, inlcuding against Leicestershire last week.

Foxes (from): McKay (capt), Aadil, Ackermann, Cosgrove, Delport, Eckersley, Griffiths, Hill, Klein, Parkinson, Pillans, Ronchi, Sayer, Wells.

Rapids (from): Leach (capt), Mitchell, Clarke, D'Oliveira, Santner, Cox, Whiteley, Hastings, Barnard, Rhodes, Shantry, Tongue, Hepburn.