Parkinson learning lots from Nabi

Slow left armer Callum Parkinson said that he is learning a tremendous amount from overseas star Mohammad Nabi as Leicestershire Foxes prepare for the Vitality Blast visit of Lancashire Lightning (Wednesday, 6.30pm start).

The Foxes spinners have played an important role in the campaign so far, particularly in the brilliant win at Birmingham Bears, where they claimed a combined six for 33 from 5.2 overs.

After Ben Raine hit the fastest century in the club’s T20 history, Nabi took two for 13 at either end of the innings and Parkinson weighed in with a career-best four for 20 as Leicestershire Foxes recorded their biggest ever margin of Vitality Blast victory in terms of runs.

“It was a complete performance at Edgbaston, and one that we’ve been striving for,” said Parkinson. “Ben Raine was the obvious stand-out but we also bowled well in the powerplay, especially Mohammad Nabi.

“My role has changed a little bit with Nabi here as he tends to bowl in the powerplay, and that’s fine with me. It’s great to have him here and learn from.

“Nabi is a good guy with a lot of skills. I’ve had a couple of chats with him in the nets; he keeps it very simple, changes his pace and is generally a brilliant all-round cricketer.

“Nabi is dangerous with the bat, has done an exceptional job with the ball, especially in the powerplay, and is good in the field. It can only be beneficial for me to be learning from someone like him in the long run.

“He’s very hard to get set against because of his variation in speed, and that’s something I looked to do at Edgbaston. He’s really brave, something that [Head Bowling Coach] Matt Mason has encouraged us to be as a bowling unit. It’s something that we have all brought into.”

As Lancashire Lightning have Callum’s spin twin brother Matthew in their ranks as well as Stephen Parry, Arron Lilley and Liam Livingstone, the battle of the slow bowlers could be key at the Fischer County Ground.

The game is followed by a trip to face Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge on Friday evening, and Parkinson feels that the team has momentum going into an important three days after the terrific display in Birmingham.

Parkinson said: “Matt [Parkinson] is going well, he's had another good start to the tournament, but we know the threat he brings and while it will be nice to see him, I'm hoping the lads get after him!

“Lancs and Notts are very different clubs to ourselves, operating on a bigger budget, so it will be tough but the pressure is on them. We were underdogs at Birmingham, but we went there and won, and the lads are hitting their straps. We’ve practiced hard ahead of the games, as always.

“From where I'm batting, at ten, I could sit back and enjoy watching Rainey [Ben Raine] and Coz [Mark Cosgrove], the power and skill and execution made it a pleasure to watch. I don't think anyone in the ground will forget it. It's important that we use the momentum gained from it.

“T20 is such a fickle game. I don’t feel like I had bowled badly in a couple of the previous games but I had been a bit expensive. It was nice to get back in the wickets at Birmingham and I want that to continue." 

The Foxes has named an unchanged 14-man squad for the visit of Lancashire Lightning, so the side that played at Edgbaston is joined by Lewis Hill, Gavin Griffiths and Rob Sayer.

Foxes (from 14): Ackermann (capt), Abbas, Chappell, Cosgrove, Delport, Dexter, Eckersley, Griffiths, Hill, Nabi, Parkinson, Raine, Sayer, Wells.

* The best value tickets for the visit of Lancashire Lightning are available in advance – a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 under 16s is available for £37 when you buy before 11.59pm on Tuesday! Secure your seat at the Fischer County Ground today HERE