Sayer enjoying time at Grace Road

Leicestershire Foxes off-spinner Rob Sayer is making the most of his opportunities at Grace Road this summer.

The 20-year-old Sayer, who recently signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2018 season, previously enjoyed success with England under 19s before continuing his progress in the Second XI.

Sayer then bowled well during the New Zealand tour game at Grace Road, sending down seven overs at a cost of 46 runs in a score of 373-5. He then bowled beautifully on his NatWest T20 Blast debut at Durham Jets, who are tomorrow's visitors in the Royal London One Day Cup (10.30am start).

On that occasion Sayer picked up 2-16 from his four overs and the off-spinner has since bowled well in 50-over cricket. Sayer is thankful for the chances he has been given and is now looking to kick on in his career.

He said: “It’s fantastic to have the backing of the club. A lot of hard work has gone in over the winter and throughout the season so it’s nice to have that backing. It’s been fantastic to work with the first team so far and hopefully I’ll get my chance in four-day cricket and take it.

“From where I was last year in playing three or four games for the second team, to then break into the first team and put in performances has made me really happy. It’s a lot more intense in the first team and it’s a higher standard of cricket, which I enjoy playing.”

Sayer and the Foxes will face another tough game against the holders tomorrow. The team’s last home game in the competition against Gloucestershire was an absolute thriller with the team falling one short of the away side’s total of 315-6.

Despite the disappointing nature of the result, the weather was good and a healthy crowd enjoyed a terrific game where 629 runs were hit to all parts of Grace Road.

The reigning champions have had a mixed bag this time around, with handsome victories against Northamptonshire and Somerset and a no result against Worcestershire followed by defeats to Surrey, Yorkshire and Gloucestershire.

Since the Gloucestershire game, the Foxes have lost away games to Yorkshire and Derbyshire so both teams need to win at Grace Road tomorrow.

Leicestershire have had three half-centuries in the competition courtesy of Angus Robson (90), Aadil Ali (84) and Ned Eckersley (71) while Michael Burgess (49) went close against Gloucestershire.

McKay has been magnificent with the ball in taking nine wickets at 14.44 while maintaining an economy rate of 3.42 through 38 overs, but he and former Durham all-rounder Ben Raine are rested ahead of the LV=CC match against Derbyshire on Friday.

The two bowlers are replaced by in the 14-man squad by Dan Redfern and Liam Hurt. Seamer Hurt has previously played at Lancashire and has impressed with a number of quick spells while on trial in the Second XI this season.

Foxes (from): Cosgrove (capt), Agathangelou, Ali, Burgess, Eckersley, Freckingham, Hill, Hurt, O’Brien, Redfern, Robson, Sayer, Sheikh, Taylor.