Lilley flies out to the US Open

The white-ball competitions keep coming for the Running Foxes as Arron Lilley has been drafted in by Clarion County Eagles for the thirteenth edition of the Cricket US Open.

Lilley, who extended his stay in Leicestershire ahead of the 2021 campaign - after signing a white-ball contract - will make his first appearance in the competition.

The 2021 T20 Vitality Blast saw him finish the campaign in good touch, after concluding the campaign as Leicestershire’s second highest run-scorer with 351 runs to his name, second to the competition’s leading run-scorer; Josh Inglis, with an average of 27 and an updated best of 99* recorded in the victory over Yorkshire Vikings at the Uptonsteel County Ground.

Allrounder Lilley was valuable with both the bat and ball in the Running Foxes' 2021 Royal London Cup campaign, after finishing the season with 162 runs and four wickets.

His updated one-day best score of 46 came in the final white-ball fixture of the season, in the away victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks “ the right-hand bat recorded six fours with a strike-rate of 124.32 coming in at number three.

The former-Lancashire man is known for his high strike-rate and boundary hitting capabilities and is relishing the chance to play T20 cricket outside of the UK for the first time.

He said: â€œI’m delighted to get the opportunity to play in America, it’s a great opportunity to experience cricket in different conditions and I can’t wait to get started with Clarion County Eagles early next week. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped to make it happen and look forward to seeing everyone at Leicestershire when I’m back.”

Claude Henderson, Director of Cricket at Leicestershire CCC spoke on Lilley’s inclusion in the competition. He said: “It is great for Arron [Lilley] to be picked up for another white-ball competition.

“This opportunity will provide the perfect chance for him to hone his skills in the one-day arena, develop his skills further and re-discover his form heading into 2022.

“We all wish Arron the best of luck in the US Open and look forward to him representing our Club on the world stage.”

Everyone at Leicestershire County Cricket Club wishes Arron the best of luck for the upcoming US Open.