Nixon delight at new additions

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon is thrilled to have snapped up two quality overseas performers and now has his sights set on an international star for T20 Blast.

The club announced the signings of Pakistan seamers Muhammad Abbas and Sohail Khan last week with the duo sharing the role that Clint McKay has undertaken for the last three seasons.

Abbas is regarded as one of the most promising seam bowling talents in world cricket after a great start to his test career, and, with Pakistan’s tour to Ireland and England in mind, Nixon ensured there is experienced cover with Sohail playing during that part of the season.

Both players will join up with Leicestershire for pre-season and have their sights set on helping the young bowlers as well as taking wickets in the middle, which is music to Nixon’s ears.

“We’ve got one of the up and coming superstars of the game in Muhammad Abbas,” said Nixon. “He has played 65 first-class games and has an average of 21 which is world-class, and is desperate to prove his worth in English conditions.

“With Abbas being so highly rated by Pakistan it was important that we arranged some cover early in the season. Sohail Khan is very experienced and has taken five-wicket hauls in test matches in England. 

“Sohail also took five wickets against India at the last World Cup so he is a proven performer on the world stage with the red and white ball. He’s really fit and is determined to do well when Abbas is away. We have two world-class performers available for the whole season between them.

“The great thing is that they’re both going to join us in pre-season, which you don’t always get with international scheduling and commitments. It’s so important we have that integration and they are determined to be mentors to our young bowlers as well as being key performers.” 

Nixon explained that a world search is well underway to secure a T20 Blast overseas signing but securing a signature is a challenge.

The Head Coach has a vast amount of contacts in the game and that fact, coupled with experience in the Caribbean Premier League, means that he is the ideal person to be working around the clock on the signing. But Nixon accepts that it is a complicated process and is prepared to wait to bring in the right player. 

He said: “It [Signing a T20 Blast overseas player] is right up there on our priority list but it was important to sort out the main role of overseas player so that we had that wrapped up ahead of pre-season. There is more time for T20 Blast given that doesn’t start until early July. 

“It’s something we’re focused on, though, and we have the feelers out for a world-class T20 Blast overseas player. We are hopeful that we will secure somebody in the next few weeks. 

“There are so many international leagues nowadays, so we appreciate that it’s tough to have a matchwinning player available for every game of a long competition. 

“We are open to what type of player comes in and there are pros and cons for the balance of the team and availability. But whoever comes in needs to be a world-class all-rounder. We want somebody who can offer different skills across the disciplines because you need that from your overseas player in T20.”

There has been an addition to the backroom staff ahead of the new season with Matt Mason joining as Head Bowling Coach. Mason has experience of promotion with Worcestershire CCC and has also been part of many ECB programmes.

Nixon said: “I know that Matt (Mason) is the perfect fit for our coaching team and our bowlers will enjoy working alongside him. It’s great to have Matt on board with us and he will offer valuable knowledge and expertise to our bowling group.

“Matt is a very good bowling coach with lots of experience of both county cricket and working with the ECB. He has helped to develop a number of very good young seam bowlers in his time at Worcestershire CCC.”

Mason is currently on the ECB Pace Programme working with Zak Chappell and other seamers while another Fox, Callum Parkinson, has also been on an ECB initiative this winter. Nixon is encouraged by the duo’s progress and is generally full of praise about the work ethic of his players.

“I’m really excited about the new season, we have had some great team chats about moving forward and a lot of good work has already happened,” said Nixon.

“The lads have been working really hard, not only at the Fischer County Ground but also at Leicester City and De Montfort University. This is a time to work really hard and it’s time to step up the ante physically.

“We have about half of the squad away but I am keeping in touch and the others have been in working hard. Zak [Chappell] has been brilliant with the ECB Pace Programme and recently came back with flying colours. He has now flown out to South Africa and Matt [Mason] is part of that trip too. 

“Callum [Parkinson] has done great things with the ECB spin coaches, including Peter Such, a former Fox, who had nothing but good words when I spoke to him recently. He’s been delighted with Callum [Parkinson] and said he’s been a great representative and a real ambassador for Leicestershire. It’s so heartening to hear that as a Head Coach.

“It’s been such a busy time for us all. I’ve been working a lot with the Academy and the next generation of Leicestershire cricketers in the pathway programme to make sure they’re ready for the step into Second XI cricket. It’s been great to get stuck in.”

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