Let's build on our good start - Ackermann

Batsman Colin Ackermann wants Leicestershire Foxes to continue their fine start as the team enters a crucial week of Royal London One-Day Cup action. 

A comfortable victory over Northants Steelbacks at Wantage Road last week got the team off to the best possible start in the current campaign. 

The Foxes now have three games in the space of five games, with a trip to Derbyshire Falcons (Friday) sandwiched between home games against Notts Outlaws (tomorrow) and Yorkshire Vikings (Sunday).

Cup-holders Notts also got off to a winning start, beating Lancashire Lightning in a high-scoring match at Old Trafford, but then lost to the Steelbacks at Welbeck.

Ackermann missed all but the last game in the competition last year due to injury but posted an attractive 30 in the opening game to build on a strong start to the Specsavers County Championship (314 runs at 52.33).

“Teams only have eight games before the knockout stages, so stringing wins together early on puts you in a strong position and that's what we're looking to achieve,” said Ackermann.

“There's no question the mindset in 50-over cricket has changed, we've seen how the scores have gone up in the last couple of years and you have to be more attacking.

“There are still three phases to an innings, the first ten overs, the 'graveyard' in the middle, when the spinners usually bowl, and the hit at the end, but if the pitch is good and you want to score 300 plus, these days you have to keep a good tempo during the middle overs.

“Personally I like 50-over cricket because it's always part of my game to try and put the bowler under pressure. At the same time it's vitally important for everybody to know their role, and I think we have quite a good balance in that regard. 

“We have guys who can win games from any position, and guys who can bowl very tight overs under pressure. The feeling in the camp is excellent.”

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon has named a 13-man squad for the game, with all-rounder Tom Wells coming in for Zak Chappell (shoulder). Ateeq Javid and Lewis Hill are also pushing for starts after impressive performances against Pakistan.

“We read the pitch well at Northants and played the conditions to put a competitive score on the board, which we then defended beautifully,” said Nixon.

“It does look an open competition this season and it's about getting a bit of momentum, stringing two or three victories together and winning the tight games. The sun has been out for a few days, so the pitches are going to be good for batting - and I think it will be here. 

“Zak just tweaked his shoulder at Northampton so we don't want to risk him at this stage of the season, we want to get him right because there's still a lot of cricket to play. 

“Tom [Wells] comes in on the back of a good hundred for the second team, and he's also bowling nicely. He has good variations in the middle overs – he's sort of our [Notts captain and all-rounder] Steven Mullaney, though if Tom reads this, slightly taller and a bit quicker, perhaps!”

Nixon said that the good weather forecast and local opposition will make it an attractive fixture for spectators.

“Both sides like to play positive cricket and express themselves with bat and ball, so it should be a really good day for anyone who can make it to the Fischer County Ground,” said Nixon.

Notts Outlaws has named a 14-man squad for the game, with the XI that played against Northants joined by Jake Libby, Matt Milnes and Jack Blatherwick. The visitors, who are led by Mullaney, can call on New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor as well as seam duo Jake Ball and Harry Gurney, both of who have played for England.

Foxes (from 13): Aaron, Ackermann, Carberry, Cosgrove, Dexter, Eckersley, Griffiths, Hill, Horton, Javid, Parkinson, Raine, Wells.

Outlaws (from 14): Mullaney, Libby, Nash, Wessels, Gurney, Milnes, Fletcher, Patel, Moores, Taylor, Ball, Fraine, Root, Blatherwick.

* Tickets for the Notts Outlaws game cost £12 for adults, £3 under 16s and £27 for a family ticket (2 adults and 3 under 16s) when purchased before midnight today (Tuesday). They can be brought HERE