Nixon looks ahead to Gloucestershire

Leicestershire CCC head into their second of two consecutive home fixtures in the Specsavers County Championship as Gloucestershire CCC make the trip to the Fischer County Ground tomorrow (Monday, June 17).

The visit of Gloucestershire CCC comes off the back of nearly an entire four-day washout against Middlesex CCC for the Foxes, where only 11 overs were bowled throughout the entirety of the fixture.

The toss was uncontested, meaning that the Foxes were put into bat by the visitors, who came and earned themselves the only bonus point of the game after claiming three wickets.

Head Coach Paul Nixon spoke about the Middlesex CCC fixture. He said: “The groundsmen did an amazing job to even get us out there a couple of days ago – it was a superb effort. But it was very frustrating obviously, having missed so much cricket. Frustratingly the opposition also got a bonus point out of it.

“The guys have had a busy time though, in the indoor nets working on technical areas of their game that this busy county schedule sometimes does not give you time to do.

“The bowlers have rested, which is good for them, especially with two important games coming up, it is important for them to rest up. Guys have also been getting some gym sessions in as well, so we are always trying to get something out of each day, however small.”

Gloucestershire CCC sit two places above the Foxes following their high-scoring, rain-affected draw against Sussex CCC at Arundel, but there is very little separating teams in Specsavers County Championship Division Two.

Nixon is aware of the threat the visitors will carry and the importance that this fixture holds, particularly with the return match at Cheltenham College fast approaching. 

He said: “Gloucestershire are just above us having played five games and we have played six. It is a double pointer in a way because anything that we can get and they don't get is massive at this stage of the season.

“They are a good, consistent side with a lot of youngsters coming through together, so we have to show our mettle.”

It is fair to say that the batsmen had a tough deal against Middlesex CCC and showed great character in the previous match against Lancashire CCC at Liverpool. Hassan Azad is the leading run-scorer with 324 at 36.00 while Mark Cosgrove is also past the 300-run mark.

Cosgrove feels in good form personally. “I feel I’m hitting the ball really nicely, and the big one is definitely around the corner,” he said.

“I tried to change a couple of things last year, which looking back probably didn’t really need to be changed, and then I started to get frustrated because the work wasn’t paying off. So I’ve gone back to playing as I always have - more free-flowing and just batting.”

Cosgrove is full of praise for Azad and knows that the batting unit is capable of consistently compiling the sort of totals needed to give an impressive seam attack the opportunity to win games.

“Hassan [Azad] has been fantastic, he loves to bat time and that lets some of us play a little bit more freely, as you do when you have someone at the other end who is happy to chew up balls,” said Cosgrove.

“Don’t just look at his scores, look at the partnerships he’s been involved with - there a lot of big ones. He’s the smartest bloke in the dressing room no doubt, and very honest with himself.

“I don’t think we’ve had a steady opening partnership since I’ve been here and if Horts [captain Paul Horton] and Hass can become that it makes it a lot easier for those of us following to come in when the bowlers have got 30 or 40 overs under their belts.”

There is one change to the Leicestershire CCC squad as wicket-keeper Lewis Hill returns to the 13. Seamer Will Davis and spinner Callum Parkinson are also in contention.

Leicestershire CCC (from 13): Horton (capt), Abbas, Ackermann, Azad, Cosgrove, Davis, Dearden, Dexter, Evans, Hill (wk), Klein, Parkinson, Wright.

* The Foxes continue their run of four home games in the Specsavers County Championship with the visit of Gloucestershire on Monday (June 17), and you can buy tickets for the fixture HERE.

* You can watch the full interview with Paul HERE.