Mike Earns Trent Rockets Wildcard Pick

Leicestershire CCC all-rounder Ben Mike will feature in this summer’s Hundred, after being selected as Trent Rockets’ Vitality Blast wildcard pick during Thursday’s (7 July) draft.

The 23-year-old is set to link up with the likes of Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Alex Hales and Rashid Khan for the East Midlands-based franchise, when the competition gets underway in early August.

Mike is the fourth Running Fox to be snapped up for second iteration of the 100-ball tournament, with teammates Colin Ackermann, Callum Parkinson and Rehan Ahmed also signed up.

Discussing his acquisition, Mike said: “I am over the moon to have been picked for the Trent Rockets. It is a great opportunity to play with some of the biggest names in cricket, learn off them, and raise my own game.

“I think my selection reflects a decent (Vitality) Blast campaign. I have worked closely with Alfonso (Thomas) on my bowling, which has improved a lot since last year, and having more responsibility in all disciplines with Leicestershire has helped accelerate my development.

“I feel like I have established myself this season, especially doing a role with bat and ball that not many others have done, so hopefully that stands me in good stead going into the Hundred.”

Mike’s selection follows a tremendous T20 campaign, which saw the all-rounder star with both bat and ball for the Foxes across the group stage.

An ever-present in the side, he averaged 21.30 with the bat, striking at an impressive 158.95, while taking 15 wickets at 24.53 with ball in hand.

Mike’s match-winning contributions included economical returns of three for 16 in the win away at Yorkshire Vikings and three for 20 in the home triumph over Worcestershire Rapids last month.

His big-hitting prowess saw him assume centre stage at Edgbaston against Birmingham Bears, smashing 34 from 17 deliveries to change the momentum in the Foxes’ innings, before claiming 3 for 30 to help Leicestershire emerge victorious.

The all-rounder also impressed with his death bowling skillset, helping the Foxes to a narrow one-run victory in the final over against Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the penultimate game of the group stage.

Mike’s participation means he will miss the Running Foxes’ Royal London Cup campaign in August, returning for selection ahead of the final four rounds of the LV= Insurance County Championship season.