Foxes ready to welcome leaders

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon has given special praise to young all-rounder Ben Mike as the team prepares to take on leaders Warwickshire CCC at the Fischer County Ground tomorrow (10.30am start).

Academy graduate Mike took four for 57 in the first innings on debut at Sussex CCC, and then went one better in the second by claiming five for 37.

It was a special performance from the recently turned 20-year-old, who performed well in front of father Greg, himself a former pro at Nottinghamshire CCC.

Mike’s performance was a huge positive during two difficult games on the road, a period in which Nixon acknowledged the support received. 

Nixon said: “Firstly I’d like to thank all of the Members and supporters who made the trips to watch us, we appreciate they spend a lot of time and money following us, and we were disappointed not to bring a win or two back with us.

“We keep having glimpses, and although overall it was a poor ten days on the road, we have to take the positives.

“Look at Benny [Ben Mike], who was a revelation for us. Nine wickets on his debut was a special performance by him – we were all delighted about that.

“He bowled like a seasoned pro, was athletic in the field, and had great desire and belief that he could win a game for Leicestershire CCC at such a young age. It was great to see. His proud dad (Greg) took a few days off work to come to watch his lad, so it was a great few days for Ben and his family.”

Nixon said that the Foxes retained belief that they could win the game with a gritty partnership developing between Colin Ackermann and Neil Dexter.

The duo shared 59 but the tea interval ultimately came at a bad time for the Foxes, who lost two wickets in the first over of the final session in Hove.

“We believed that we could win the game, and to have that belief is crucial moving forward,” said Nixon.

“We talked about getting through the final session at Hove with no wickets, or one at most, and chasing 270 to 280 on the final day with them being more tired. What a great opportunity it would have been – you never know what might have happened in this great game.

“But Ackers [Colin Ackermann], who batted really well, got a brute of a delivery from Ollie Robinson that must have nipped back out of a crack about a foot.

“We lost a second wicket quickly, and Jofra Archer then bowled a fast spell at our middle and lower order as the session went on. It was high-class bowling.”

Nixon is confident that the runs will come from a batting unit that continues to work tirelessly in the pursuit of posting individual scores and partnerships to the team cause.

He said: “It’s important that we work hard and stay confident. Every one of our batsmen is desperate to get runs, and that is a challenge in itself, as sometimes you need to be a little more relaxed in order to score runs in the middle.

“But sometimes you have to get into a battle in the middle. Everyone is different and has their own method.

“The damage was largely done in our first innings and it was always going to be a tough ask after that, especially against a quality bowling attack.

“We believe that our batsmen will score runs but often good bowlers strike early, especially with the new ball, and you need a bit of luck.

“Sussex’s batsmen played and missed a lot at Ben [Raine] and Mo [Muhammad Abbas] early on. Three of our batsmen got nicks that went to hand, and suddenly we were nine for five and chasing the game.

“Cricket is a funny old game, and if you keep doing the right things you will pull a big score out of the bag, so it’s about maintaining the intensity in practice, and being mentally strong and disciplined.

“It’s a ruthless game at times. We’re all up for it and we’re supporting each other – it’s high challenge, but it’s also high support.”

Nixon said that the players are looking forward to the challenge of the final three games of a season where considerable progress has been made.

The Foxes did not register a win last season but have four on the board with three fixtures to play, and want to end the campaign on a high.

“We have to learn from every team,” said Nixon. “Sussex are a well-drilled outfit, hardworking with highly-skilled players and they are a benchmark for us. Warwickshire will also provide a great challenge.

“We have to finish the season strongly – and we will. We are hurting badly from the last couple of losses but we are gaining more understanding from each experience.

“It’s crucial that we finish well at home against two teams who had a really good battle at Edgbaston last week. Warwickshire are a good side and are fighting for promotion, so we know what to expect, and Durham have battled hard all season.

“Testing yourselves against different opposition in the division is a challenge that everyone is relishing. We may have lost three in a row but they have not been one-sided games.

“We had a close game against Kent until the final session, we bowled Gloucestershire out for 200 on a slow pitch and were 50 for one on the second morning, and we had Sussex just over 200 for six on a good pitch in the first innings. We take these positives and move on.”

The Foxes have a number of concerns to the seam bowling unit ahead of the visit of Warwickshire CCC. Zak Chappell and Gavin Griffiths were both ruled out of the game at Sussex CCC with side issues, while Ben Raine and Dieter Klein are also being monitored after picking up injuries during the fixture at Hove.

Richard Jones and Tom Taylor have also been sidelined through injury in recent weeks. Taylor has stepped up his comeback from injury in the Second XI in the last fortnight.

There is an additional fixture to the Second XI schedule this week, a three-day friendly against Sussex CCC starting on Tuesday at the Blackstone Academy ground (10.30am start).

* Don't miss our Specsavers County Championship home game against leaders Warwickshire CCC starting tomorrow (Monday)! Tickets cost £12 for adults and £2 for under 16s and are available for all four days HERE