"Logan Ticks All The Boxes" | Foxes Boss Excited By Van Beek Addition

Head Coach Alfonso Thomas says Logan van Beek’s character convinced him the Netherlands international was the perfect overseas addition to help Leicestershire achieve their 2025 ambitions.

“He’s one who doesn’t shy away from the fight,” says Thomas. “We look for lads that have got the heart and will bust a gut for the team, and I believe Logan is one of those guys.

“Overseas players play a bigger role than just performances. It’s their character that has the biggest influence, and I always judge characters when the chips are down. As a coach, that’s the time you look around the changing room and see who steps up. Pete [Handscomb] has shown those leadership qualities a lot over the past couple of seasons and we think Logan can play a similar role.”

A 34-year-old with more than 400 career appearances, including 64 for the Netherlands, Thomas says an experienced overseas bowler with international pedigree was top of his shopping list this winter - a search that drew the Club to van Beek.

“When it comes to recruitment, we’ve had to box smart and box clever. We needed to get the balance right and our research highlighted how much value Logan can add to the team. He has proven his ability on the biggest stage and knows what it takes to succeed in England.

“Logan gives us something different. He offers us a bit of pace and skills for all formats, but also continuity across red ball and white ball cricket. To find bowlers that can be equally as effective across formats can be a challenge, as can securing a player with availability for most of the season, but Logan ticks all the boxes.”

Signed to feature in both first-class and T20 cricket “ where he’s claimed 231 and 176 wickets respectively - Thomas believes van Beek’s multifaceted skillset will be crucial to the Foxes’ promotion hopes, as well as the push for a record-breaking fourth T20 title.

“He gives us great flexibility. In four-day cricket, he can take the new ball, he can be first change, and he can operate effectively with the old ball as well. Logan’s used to bowling at the Basin Reserve, which by all accounts is quite flat, and Grace Road can be similar at times. But that won’t faze him, he wants the ball at every turn.

“In T20 cricket, he can bowl up front, in the middle, and at the death. He’s incredibly versatile. With a smaller squad, where we’re not blessed with the freedom to chop and change our playing staff, that fluidity is gold dust.”

Far from a one-trick pony, the Kiwi-born star’s abilities across all disciplines of the game stands as another reason as to why he was cherry-picked by the recruitment team at Uptonsteel County Ground.

To go with his 599 professional wickets, van Beek has amassed 4,962 runs to date, including three career centuries. What’s more impressive for a bowling all-rounder, the Dutch international scooped a batting world record when blitzing a whopping 30 runs during a Super Over against West Indies in 2023.

“Logan’s a great athlete and the fact that he can bat is a bonus,” beams Thomas. “I always believe if we are going to be competitive, especially in the County Championship, you need the lower order to make contributions, and I think Logan further strengthens the talent in our side in that regard.

“Gone are the days where guys can only bowl, you need to other something with the bat or in the field. We are fortunate in Logan’s case that he can do all three facets in all formats to a high standard. That’s another reason why we wanted him.”

Van Beek could be the point of difference for an attack already boasting England internationals Josh Hull and Rehan Ahmed, as well as a fully fit and firing Chris Wright. It’s a prospect which excites Thomas, a highly successful former fast bowler himself.

“I believe we’ve got a great group of bowlers that can make us competitive across the entire season. Josh Hull is progressing nicely, Sam Wood too, and Wrighty is back from the off, which is a massive boost. It’s a well balanced attack and Logan complements that unit.”

To watch Logan in action for Leicestershire this season, secure your Club Membership or Vitality Blast tickets HERE.