Foxes winter update 3 - 2017/18

The Leicestershire CCC contingent playing abroad this winter have been back in action after Christmas as they continue preparation towards the 2018 season.

All-rounder Tom Wells has been in fine form since the festive break including a recent score of 62 as his Auckland University side scored a huge 352 against Parnell CC. 

Wells also scored 58 against Grafton United as well as taking two wickets for just 30 runs as his side ran out winners by 55 runs.

In the T20 format Wells has also been in scintillating form. He showed his all-round credentials taking 1-31 from four overs before being at his destructive best with the bat in hitting an unbeaten 88 from just 50 balls, striking 15 boundaries along the way in a win against Howick Pakuranga.

Staying in New Zealand, Ben Raine has been in wickets for Riccarton, taking 3 for 31 against St Albans CC. Raine recorded impressive figures of 2 for 8 from 3.3 overs in the T20 format as his side beat Lancaster Park CC.

Young wicket-keeper/batsman Harry Swindells has been in solid form for Balwyn CC. In 13 matches over the winter, Swindells has an average touching 40. Swindells recently scored an unbeaten 43* as his side ran out six-wicket winners over Moorabbin and then made a determined 31 in his team’s one-wicket victory over Bayswater.

The consistency that Mark Cosgrove displayed in 2017 has been maintained in his spell with Northern Districts, including recent scores of 74 and 69. Cosgrove was also in the wickets in a game against Glenelg, taking 2 for 26. 

Ned Eckersley’s most recent score was 40 and the week before the batsman hit 34 as his side were victorious against Sutherland.

Colin Ackermann has now resumed first-class cricket, most recently his side played Lions and secured a 29-run win. Ackermann scored 55 and 20 in the game.

Ackermann was due to play in the Momentum One-Day Cup Final but the match was ultimately called off. His side restricted Warriors to 154 for 6 from 39.4 overs – Ackermann taking 1 for 25 off eight overs – before being abandoned due to rain.

The rules of the competition mean that the match starts from scratch on the reserve day but no play was possible due to more poor weather.

All-rounder Zak Chappell has just returned to the country after being in Potchefstroom, South Africa, where he has been working with new Head Bowling Coach Matt Mason. Chappell has a couple of weeks in the UK before heading to Desert Springs in Spain for one final training programme, before going to the Caribbean for the North v South Series.

Having been on the Lions tour of Australia Callum Parkinson has joined back up with teammates and new signing Ateeq Javid finished his training camp in Pakistan and is now with the group at the FCG. 

Rob Sayer and Aadil Ali have been in India for the past month where they linked up with Spin Bowling Coach/Head Scout Carl Crowe to work on all parts of their game. The cricket centre they trained at had floodlights which gave both players a chance to work on their skills which will be especially useful for the Vitality Blast competition later on this year.

Back at the Fischer County Ground the emphasis has been a combination of physical work as well as cricket specific training. All of the players are working extremely hard with the coaching staff as the winter training programme enters a crucial phase.

This week has seen training sessions step up in intensity. Stay tuned to our social channels @leicsccc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for regular updates of the sessions.

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