"Match Point" | Van Beek Ready To Smash Foxes To Division One Promotion

Logan van Beek says Leicestershire are on ‘match point’ as they head into the final three matches of their Division One promotion push.

The overseas ace has played a pivotal role in the Foxes’ ascent to the summit of Division Two this term. Now, after a month’s break to reset and re-string, he’s gunning to get Leicestershire over the line.

“It’s a really exciting time to return,” van Beek says overlooking the Grace Road outfield. “We've put ourselves in this position to win Division Two, and to be sitting here now knowing that we're close to that peak is fantastic. But this is almost going to be the hardest bit.

“It's like being on match point in tennis where you're serving for the game, and you're just desperate to try and get the ball in the court and finish the game. I think we've got to have an attacking mindset. We've got to come into these games desperate to win and not just go for draws. We're here to win games and win Division Two in style.”

Van Beek’s return follows a month’s recuperation following an intense workload, one which saw the all-rounder feature in every County Championship and Vitality Blast fixture immediately after the conclusion of his home domestic season with Wellington over in New Zealand. It was a rest period he very much needed.

“I had some time off, which was fantastic. I went to see my sister in Paris, and I went to the Norfolk coast last week. Also, my wife is from Bulgaria, so we visited her parents. They took us on a Bulgarian road trip, seeing the country for the first time, learning the language, eating the beautiful food - it was awesome to see where my wife is from.

“The break just came at a perfect time There's a fatigue factor that comes into it. It's never really niggles or a lack of wanting to play, I think the fatigue factor comes in when you only really recover to 85%, and you don't have that feeling of being back to 100%. I had August 1st in my head as the date I wanted to get to, and I was super proud of myself to get there having played in all our games.

“Fortunately, I got that time off but after about 10 days I started to get a little bit of itchy feet. When I saw the boys playing the one-day comp, I was starting to miss cricket. As much as I've played 10 seasons on the bounce, I still want to play, so I'm itching to go again.”

As the squad filter back in after a week’s break following the end of the One Day Cup, van Beek is already raring to return to the fold. After working solo to bank an hour’s bowling out in the middle, he outlines his approach for the weeks ahead.

“The feeling I'm going in with is: ‘attack, attack, attack’. It's about completing the job. We've put ourselves in a great position to win Division Two, and one of my big values is following through. I think it’s important for us to follow through on the hard work we've done and put the bow on the season.

“As a team, we want to look at each other in the eye and go, ‘we did it’. From start to finish, we kept our standards high, we never gave up and we did the job together. That's the goal.”

Quizzed on what’s clicked to turn Leicestershire into champions-elect, the Canterbury-born star believes such progress is the result of several years of building on and off the pitch at Uptonsteel County Ground.

“I think it's just the timing of this group and the experience these guys now have. Individuals are coming into their own, coming into their prime, and I was just able to complement that. When a team grows into their prime - which I feel like Leicestershire is at the moment - it snowballs. Providing we do the business in the next few weeks, I think the squad is in really good shape to not only stay up but to push for higher honours.

“From a bowling point of view, it's the fact we're willing to do what's required in the game at that point in time. We've removed the ego out of it, we’re not trying to bowl as quick as we can, it's purely what does the team need right now? Yep, we're going to do that.

“If guys like Greeny, Dutchy, Scriv, and I can do that for as long as possible, then it brings guys like Josh Hull, Ben Mike and Rehan Ahmed “ who have got a bit more x-factor - to come in and bowl with a bit more freedom. We've got enough attacking weapons to get those 20 wickets.”

Thriving with 31 Championship wickets himself this term, the same tally as Ian Holland and Ben Green, van Beek admits that even at 34 years of age he’s adding new strings to his bow.

“Cricket is a never-ending puzzle. This year has been so enjoyable to keep trying to work it out, even though you never get to a point where you complete it. I’ve tweaked little things like going around the wicket to left-handers more, I don't necessarily do it too much back in New Zealand.

“Then I’ve worked with Fons [Alfonso Thomas] on getting a little bit wider on the crease, and my technique shining the rock. It’s all been really cool.”

It’s clear that van Beek’s infectious enthusiasm for the game is a flame burning brighter than ever. It’s a mentality which has been the cornerstone of his distinguished career, and something he hopes to have transferred to his Foxes teammates.

“I love playing cricket, the enjoyment of competing, the enjoyment of trying to get better, and keeping my body fit. I'm a professional cricketer, this is my job, and I love this job, so I'm doing whatever it takes to keep going for as long as possible. That's my mentality and hopefully that's rubbed off on other guys.

“There are scars and experiences of being in the spotlight and failing, but you always wake up the next day and go: ‘okay, I'm still here. I'm still alive.’ And that feeling that you had in that middle where the game was on the line and you had the pressure, it's an addictive feeling.

“I think that's what I crave. As much as it's nerve wracking and it's anxiety filled, that's the time I feel like, wow, this is a really cool job that you get to have those experiences. I purely work hard on my game to create another opportunity to be in the spotlight. And that's pretty much my driver.

“It's doing what I can to keep getting better, to be the guy to win games. And that's what I want to be for the next four or five years. When I get to the end of my career, people are like: ‘wow, that guy was a finisher. He never gave up. He was always there, and he wins games with bat, with ball, and in the field. That's Logan Van Beek.’”

The Netherlands international will have the opportunity to be front and centre again when Leicestershire return to Championship action against Gloucestershire on Monday. With 21 points needed for promotion, and back-to-back home games to come, van Beek says the chance to seal the deal in front of the Foxes’ faithful would be the icing on the cake.

“Playing in front of our fans has definitely been one of my highlights,” he smiles, before breaking out into a rendition of his own chant. “’Logan van Beek, ole, ole’ is something I’ll take back to New Zealand. From day one they've been my biggest fans and it's just been really cool to be able to perform for them.

“They live and breathe every ball that we bowl, every game without fail. It's not only fun for us to win, but to give the fans something to reward their support. The happiness we provide them on the pitch is so satisfying, especially in the four-day comp. They're going to be the happiest people once we get over the line.”