We know that we could boss this game - Nixon

Leicestershire CCC earned their fourth draw in a row in the Specsavers County Championship after coming away from Wantage Road with 10 points, including three bowling points and two batting points.

The fixture, like Lancashire CCC and Middlesex CCC, was affected massively by the weather as day two was completely lost due to persistent rainfall throughout the early morning right the way through to late evening. There were further overs lost in day three due to bad light.

The Foxes chose to decline the toss and bowl first in the fixture as the weather favoured bowlers on a warm, overcast, dull Monday morning.

After the fixture, Head Coach Paul Nixon gave his reaction. He said: “We did some really good things in the game, but we are slightly frustrated with one or two things as well – certainly from the first innings.

“I felt that we let them get 299 where realistically 210, 220 or 225 would have been more realistic.

“We created some brilliant chances – the bowlers played beautifully with Muhammad Abbas again showing that he is world-class. Chris Wright bowled beautifully and deserved six or seven wickets, but we dropped way too many chances.”

Although disappointed with the overall fielding performance, Nixon understands that the conditions that suit the bowlers aren’t necessarily the conditions that suit the fielders: “When it is a bit gloomy for batsmen, it is tough as well for fielders because it was dark.

“But, as long as we keep working hard in practice and our preparation is good then that is all that we can ask. Of course, I am disappointed to have shelled so many.”

The 48-year old explained how frustrating it is with the rain playing a huge part in proceedings and limiting the fixture to less than three full days – especially when going there full of confidence of earning a positive result.

He said: “It is very frustrating. When we came here, we believed that man-for-man we are as good a side as Northamptonshire.

“We knew that we could boss this game. It is almost a slight advantage coming away from home these days with the decision of being able to bowl first on a slightly green wicket.”

Hassan Azad was the name on everybody’s lips following the conclusion of the game and his Head Coach was made up for him after play ended.

He said: “I am delighted for him. He is one of the nicest men in the game and again he wants mastery of his trade.

“Hass [Hassan Azad] is a guy that is working on different areas of his game all of the time, which is wonderful. He is a great asset for the club, as a human being not just as a cricketer.

“He is a driver in our team. He is full of runs, full of belief and confidence. He is such a level individual which is what you have to be in professional sport. I am delighted for him – he works hard and gets his just rewards.”

Leicestershire CCC now have a week’s break in the Specsavers County Championship as two WODIs between England and Australia are taking place at the Fischer County Ground.

They face Durham CCC once they get back to action on Sunday (July 7) who, with their win over Sussex CCC, picked themselves up off the bottom of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two table.

*Tickets for the Durham CCC game are available to buy HERE.

**You can watch the full interview with Paul HERE.