Foxes v Bears Preview

Leicestershire CCC head into their second Vitality Blast game of the 2019 season without bowling a ball, as do their opponents, Birmingham Bears.

Both teams fell foul to the rain on Friday (July 19) as the precipitation meant that they both earned a point in their opening fixture.

The Foxes, who got further than the Bears by having a coin toss, travel to Edgbaston after a frustrating evening at the Fischer County Ground.

Head Coach Paul Nixon said: “Obviously we are disappointed after the build-up to the T20 competition.

“You are desperate to get going in T20 cricket – over 1,500 people had turned up in the rain hoping to see a game, so everyone was really frustrated.

“But we get a point, so we are up and running and we are looking forward to big game at Edgbaston on Sunday.”

Given the extra bit of rest following a demanding Specsavers County Championship trip to Cheltenham, Nixon is eager to make the most of it as they prepare for Birmingham.

He said:“We have had a lot of time on feet over the past four or five days, so it is good to get a slight rest.

“We will look to get in early at Edgbaston, get in the nets and get the feel of their surface – plus the forecast is meant to be much better, which is good.”

With a largely young squad, Nixon is not worried about the occasion especially playing at a test ground and is confident in his Foxes squad.

Nixon said: “We have done well at Edgbaston before. It is a brilliant ground, a test match arena and we like playing at those grounds with the buzz they generate with a bumper crowd – it's where you want to do your skills well. It inspires you.

“We have nothing to lose. We can go and play expansive, exciting cricket which T20 is. Edgbaston has certain traits that we know about and will look to manipulate those, and we want to go there and do well.”

Furthermore, Nixon is eager to mention that the tickets from the Lancashire Lightning fixture can be re-used for the upcoming home fixture against Yorkshire Vikings on Tuesday (July, 23) and is keen for a big crowd at the FCG.

He said: “It was such a shame but everybody did all they could to give the crowd something to see. If we'd had good weather, we'd have had more people come on the day too.

"But the good news is that everybody who brought a ticket here for Lancashire can come along on Tuesday night, which is wonderful.

“We should have a bumper crowd on Tuesday night in the sunshine, and it will be great to have that buzz at the Fischer County Ground.”

Given there wasn't a ball bowled, the Foxes are unlikely to make changes to the squad, although there could be an addition.

Mark Cosgrove missed out on the Lancashire Lightning fixture due to the concussion protocol following a ball to the head in the nets before the Gloucestershire CCC fixture, but there is a possibility that he will be available for Sunday's game.

Nixon said: “Cozzie [Mark Cosgrove] has one more test to do and will do that on the morning of the game. We are confident, and he is confident that he will be okay. We look forward to having him back at a ground where he has done well before."