Hill excited for Blast home games

Leicestershire Foxes wicket-keeper Lewis Hill and Head Coach Paul Nixon simply can’t wait for the Vitality Blast to return to the Fischer County Ground (FCG) tomorrow.

This summer sees an intense start to the competition with the Foxes playing three games in five days.

After yesterday’s record-breaking win at Northants Steelbacks, the Foxes now has back-to-back home games against Durham Jets (tomorrow, 6.30pm start) and Notts Outlaws (Sunday, 2.30pm start).

The past week have seen ticket sales increase significantly and a healthy crowd is expected to be at the FCG for the opening home fixture for the Foxes.

Nixon fully knows the value of the crowd here as he had many happy playing during three title wins for the Foxes.

He said: “It’s our fortress here and we have to keep making it that way, our fans love coming to the ground and we want to entertain them.

“T20 is so exciting and accessible, and the more families that come to our games, the better. We are looking forward to our supporters coming out in number over the weekend as we look to build on the brilliant win last night.”

Hill has worked closely with Nixon on his game and is reaping the rewards. The ‘keeper believes the Foxes has a good balance to the side and the flexibility to win any game, as they showed at Wantage Road.

Hill said: “Working with Nico [Paul Nixon] is so beneficial, he’s so enthusiastic and is always desperate to help me improve my glovework and I feel I’ve made big improvements already this season.

“The make-up of the side is really nice; in Parky [Callum Parkinson] and Mohammad Nabi we have two outstanding spinners who can keep it tight for 8 overs between them and in Rainey [Ben Raine] and Bassy [Muhammad Abbas] we have wicket-taking bowlers which bodes well for us.

“Last year we were quite rigid with our batting but I think we’re very flexible this summer, which is good fun. Some days you won’t bat but other days I will get responsibility and it’s about taking my chance when I do.

“It’s always good fun playing at home, there’s a great atmosphere and this weather is perfect for the Blast. We’re looking forward to it and determined to put in two good performances for our home crowd.”

The Foxes squad is unchanged from yesterday’s fine win at Northants, meaning Gavin Griffiths, Paul Horton and Rob Sayer are in contention to play alongside the XI on duty at Wantage Road.

Foxes (from 14): Ackermann (capt), Abbas, Chappell, Cosgrove, Delport, Dexter, Griffiths, Hill, Horton, Nabi, Parkinson, Raine, Sayer, Wells.

* The Foxes was in outstanding form at Northants Steelbacks last night, today is your last chance to secure advance price tickets for tomorrow night's exciting Vitality Blast game against Durham Jets! Adult tickets are available for just £10 before 11.59pm on Thursday evening HERE