Mike relishing every experience

Leicestershire CCC all-rounder Ben Mike has relished what has been a whirlwind few weeks, including being selected in the First XI squad for the first time for the trip to Sussex CCC.

Mike recently signed his first professional contract at the club, has been playing a lead role in the Second XI, and then joined up with the team in Bristol last week.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season in the Seconds and said that he has already learnt a lot from being part of the staff on a full-time basis.

“I’ve absolutely loved my first trip so far, it’s been a really good experience for me to be around the experienced professionals,” said Mike.

“It’s a different experience warming up with the lads, and batting and bowling with the pros is a great experience in the morning before matches.

“Everyone is always ready and wanting to win in the Second team but it’s slightly different, as the make up of the team naturally changes more than in the First team.

“There’s a lot of ownership taken by the individuals in the first team, as each individual player knows what he needs to do to make sure he’s ready for any game. There are very different approaches, but there’s a huge team ethos with everybody working together.”

Mike was naturally delighted to pen his first contract with the Foxes. It was also nice for his family including dad Greg, who had a successful career of his own as an all-rounder with Nottinghamshire CCC.

Greg has been a big influence in his son’s cricketing career, and Mike junior appreciates the approach that his father has taken over the years.

“It was a very nice moment, it was nice to share it with my family and see the hard work pay off,” said Mike. “I found out on my dad’s birthday, so it was a great present for him. He was over the moon, as was all of the family.

“My dad has always said that there is no pressure from him and that he wouldn’t push me towards cricket, he let it happen naturally.

“I’ve always had the love for the game because I was watching him, even if it was a game of club cricket. If I want to ask him something, or if he picks up on anything, we’ll have a conversation and I take it on board. He’s been a massive influence on my game.”

The all-rounder’s season has had many memorable moments, including twice getting West Indies star Shivnarine Chanderpaul out in the Second XI, and facing the Pakistan touring side at the Fischer County Ground.

Mike’s experience versus Pakistan wasn’t just on the pitch; he learnt as much as he could from their pace aces in the nets as well, including overseas player Muhammad Abbas.

He said: “My dad was happy to see me get him [Shivnarine Chanderpaul] out, and I was over the moon, as it was a wicket I really wanted to get. His technique makes it very strange for a bowler, so it was a different challenge in itself but I really wanted to get him out. I fought hard for his wicket.

“Playing against Pakistan was also an amazing feeling in my first proper game at Grace Road, but the whole season has been a highlight for me in many respects.

“I bowled at Azhar Ali, who has scored a lot of test runs in the last couple of years. I also net-bowled against them and Muhammad Abbas and Hassan Ali had a chat with me and were helping me out with my bowling, which was great.”

While Mike has seen the 2018 season as one in which he has made great progress, he knows that there is a lot more learning to come.

“I had a frustrating winter being injured so I was really looking forward to pre-season,” he said. “I had to work hard to get fit and ready for it, and I feel that I have made progression this summer. My bowling has been more consistent, and my batting has continued to go nicely.

“I feel I have a lot of improvement to make with my white ball skills and I’ll work hard on that with Mase [Head Bowling Coach Matt Mason] over the winter.

“Being involved in all formats has helped me to learn a lot, especially from [Second XI Coach] Tom Smith, who was a good all-rounder himself. He’s had great experience in the game and I have learnt a lot from Tom and Mase. Tom and Sads [Assistant Coach John Sadler] also helped me out with my batting.

“Some days you fly with the white ball, and some days it’s really tough, so I need to work on my bowling skills for that format, especially things like slower balls. That is something for me to work on over the winter now that I’m on the professional staff.”

Mike also paid tribute to Academy Director Andy Siddall and coach Dips Patel, who has had a big influence on his career both at the Fischer County Ground and Loughborough Town CC.

“It’s been great to see so many Academy lads come through and get an opportunity in the Seconds, and that is credit to our coaching staff,” said Mike.

“I know there are lots of good players coming through the Academy and sure they will continue to go well. Everything we have been working on has come together, things have gelled, and we’ve had some good results as the season has gone on, both in the Academy and Seconds.

“It was great to play at Loughborough Town for Leicestershire with the Seconds, and Dips Patel has been more involved with the team, so it’s nice to have a familiar face. Loughborough Town is a very good club and hopefully more players will continue to come through and play for Leicestershire.

“Dips has helped my career at Leicestershire, he’s given me the chance to play at Loughborough Town and he has always helped in the nets. He’s also been a big influence on my career.

“Overall I'm delighted to be part of the Foxes and I'm looking forward to the start of my career on the professional staff. It's an exciting time for me.”

* Leicestershire CCC’s next Specsavers County Championship home game is against leaders Warwickshire CCC on Monday, September 10 (10.30am start). Tickets cost £12 for adults and £2 for under 16s and are available for all four days HERE