Match Preview | County Championship | Kent | 15-18 September 2025

With promotion now secured, Leicestershire’s focus immediately switches to a title charge, with Alfonso Thomas’ side 24 points away from earning champions status.

Last week’s draw with Gloucestershire was enough to ensure the Foxes’ return to Division One after a 22-year absence, and they know a maximum-points win against Kent at Uptonsteel County Ground this week will clinch the coveted crown.

Kent prop up the foot of the Division Two table. After winning both of their opening two matches of the campaign, they looked strong contenders to make an immediate return to the top tier, but their red-ball season has fizzled out amid injury disruptions and an eight-point deduction.

Squad:

Just one alteration to the 13-strong squad that sealed promotion, as Louis Kimber returns in place of the injured Ben Mike.

Under ECB guidelines, Ben Green is not permitted to return following his recall by Somerset, while Rehan Ahmed is still on England duty. Tom Scriven (hamstring) remains sidelined.

Leicestershire, Budinger, Cox+, Eskinazi, Hill, Holland*, Hull, Kimber, Masood, Patel, Salisbury, Tattersall, van Beek, Wright.

Last Time We Met:

It was a high-scoring, one-innings draw when the two sides met at Canterbury in the middle of the summer.

Batting first, Rehan Ahmed’s fifth century of the season headlined a strong display after Rishi Patel’s 85 up top. Tom Scriven was cruelly denied a maiden century when he fell for a superb 99, made during a last wicket stand of 108 with Josh Hull - who notched his career best 35 not out “ as Leicestershire scored 471.

With conditions firmly in the batters’ favour, the Foxes used 10 bowlers in response. Rehan picking up three wickets in a 42-over shift, as Kent reached 445/8 before hands were shaken.

Fox to Watch:

Lewis Hill has had an excellent year for Leicestershire. His first since stepping down as Clun captain, he’s been reinvigorated with the bat and in the field.

His 823 runs, collected at 48.41 a time, has him top of the Foxes’ run charts in the Championship, with his sights still set on the 1,000-run landmark.

With the disappointment of controversially being given out on 88 last week, there may be extra fire in the belly for the homegrown star to reach three figures for the third this season at some stage across the next four days.

Opposition Player to Watch:

A one-time Leicestershire player, Joey Evison presents a sizeable threat with bat and ball. The all-rounder spent the briefest of spells on loan at Uptonsteel County Ground during the 2022 campaign, featuring against India and Glamorgan before moving to his current home.

The 23-year-old has adapted well to life in Canterbury, amassing almost 2,000 runs and adding 56 wickets in his 38 first-class appearances for the county.

Tickets:

Admission and car parking can be secured in advance ONLINE from as little as £5. A reminder, play for all four days is scheduled to begin at 10:30am.

Follow The Action:

Tune into Foxes TV for our live ball-by-ball broadcast. A play-by-play feed, including weather updates, will be available via X (@leicsccc), with updates also issued on Facebook (Leicestershire County Cricket Club) and Instagram (@leicsccc).