Match Preview | County Championship | Derbyshire | 11-14 April 2025

A top-of-the-table clash awaits at Uptonsteel County Ground on Friday, as Leicestershire battle local rivals Derbyshire in round two of the Rothesay County Championship.

The Foxes head into the clash having wrapped up victory inside three days in Cardiff last weekend, comprehensively beating Glamorgan by ten wickets to ascend to the summit of Division Two.

Similarly, Derbyshire arrive with one win from one after defeating Gloucestershire by nine wickets at The County Ground during the opening week.

Squad:

Netherlands all-rounder Logan van Beek comes straight into the squad, as does Roman Walker, in a pair of changes to the 13-strong contingent.

Rishi Patel (dislocated thumb) and Chris Wright (knee) are ruled out after suffering injuries during the win over Glamorgan. Josh Hull, Matt Salisbury, and Sam Wood are edging closer to their returns but remain unavailable.

Leicestershire: Ahmed, Budinger, Cox+, B Green, Handscomb*, Hill, Holland, Kimber, Mike, Scriven, Trevaskis, van Beek, Walker.

Last Time We Met:

The final fixture of 2024 saw the two sides draw in a rain-affected clash on Grace Road. After the first two days were lost to the weather, Sol Budinger and Ian Holland starred at the top of the order, adding 120 for the opening stand.

Budinger dominated the scoring and seemed nailed on for a maiden first-class century, but fell to Luis Reece for 87, while Holland (44), number three Liam Trevaskis (57), and Ben Cox (42*) also impressed.

In response to a total of 280, Derbyshire’s Wayne Madsen continued his imperious string of performances against the Foxes, posting an unbeaten 105 when hands were shaken deep on day four.

Fox to Watch:

All eyes will be on the start Logan van Beek makes to his Leicestershire career. After shining in previous county cricket spells with Derbyshire and Worcestershire, the 34-year-old is expected to make his Foxes debut on Friday against his first English club.

Van Beek arrives in superb form, having topped the Plunket Shield bowling charts with 36 wickets at an average of 20.63 for Wellington. It takes him to 625 career wickets across formats.

A potent middle to lower-order threat with the bat too, the Netherlands international has 2,514 runs in first-class cricket at a touch under 25, further strengthening a deep batting lineup blessed with all-rounders.

Opposition Player to Watch:

When Derbyshire come to town, Wayne Madsen tends to go big. The away skipper loves playing at Uptonsteel County Ground, averaging 68.8 against the Foxes in first-class cricket and scoring five centuries at the venue across formats.

The 41-year-old topped his county’s run-scoring charts last term, recording 1,005 runs at an average north of 50, while he made the perfect start to the new campaign by notching 118 against Gloucestershire last time out. His wicket will certainly be held in high value this week.

Follow The Action:

FoxesTV, the Club’s YouTube channel, will provide FREE ball-by-ball coverage featuring BBC commentary across all four days. You can also stay up-to-date with play-by-play coverage and post-day reaction throughout the fixture via our social media channels.