We won't underestimate Glamorgan - Nixon

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon said that there is absolutely no danger of his charges underestimating Glamorgan CCC ahead of the final game of the 2018 season.

It has been a challenging season for the Welsh County, who sit at the foot of the table having collected one Specsavers County Championship win from their 13 games.

Leicestershire CCC, meanwhile, recorded their fifth victory of the campaign in stunning fashion against Durham CCC earlier this week, and now have the chance to finish in the top half of the table.

But the Foxes will be well aware of the challenge that Glamorgan CCC pose given the dramatic nature of the first meeting of the sides.

On that occasion in May, a nip and tuck affair was decided by the very last ball of the game with both sides within one blow of recording a victory.

Marchant de Lange did his level best to get his side over the line with a brilliant innings, but Ben Raine ultimately drew a false stroke and Callum Parkinson took the catch at long-on to decide the closest of contests.

The match, which was Nixon’s first win in charge, is one that nobody will forget in a hurry – the Head Coach included!

He said: “I think that we all went through every emotion either on the balcony, in the stands or on the pitch! It got so close, and it was really tense, but when I saw Parky [Callum Parkinson] under the catch, I knew we’d done it.

“That game seems a long time ago now. We’ve worked hard to be in a position where we can take a lot of confidence into this game, and we certainly won’t be underestimating Glamorgan.

“We have to make sure that we hit our straps, take our confidence into the game, and have positive intent. As with every other game, the first hour of play will be crucial and we need to be firing on all cylinders.

“There are a lot of good players around the county circuit and we have to make sure that we are on the money because Glamorgan will be looking to finish well in front of their Members.”

The Foxes currently sit fifth in the league and the club’s tally of victories is already the highest since 2010.

However, Nixon does not want his charges to rest on their laurels. A sixth success would represent as many victories that the club has registered in the last five years combined and would provide a real fillip going into the winter months.

“Five wins has been a step in the right direction and a sixth would be the icing on the cake,” said Nixon. “We want to finish well as a team but there is also personal pride at stake at this time of year. There are first-class runs and wickets available.

“We must be respectful of Glamorgan, we had always planned to travel to Cardiff nice and early this morning (Sunday) to have a good focussed practice session at the ground. Everyone is ready for the final game and it’s important we take momentum into the winter.

“It’s important that we look no further than the first ball. We need to show the same quality of performance as we did against Durham. If we can achieve another win from another four hard days of cricket down in Wales, then it would be a good, progressive season.”

In squad news, Nixon confirmed that there will be one enforced change to the side as Muhammad Abbas will miss the final game of the season to prepare for Pakistan's test series against Australia.

Ben Raine and Zak Chappell are also still struggling with injuries, while captain Paul Horton is again unavailable due to personal reasons. Colin Ackermann will again lead the side.

Wicket-keeper Harry Swindells and seam bowling all-rounder Tom Taylor are named in a 13-man squad for the trip to Sophia Gardens, and Dieter Klein is also pushing for a start.

Nixon said: “Muhammad Abbas has bowled a lot of overs for us throughout the season, and even though we won inside two days against Durham, he bowled long spells on the second day to help get us over the line.

“We respect that Mo could do with a rest ahead of Pakistan’s test series against Australia. He was outstanding against Durham CCC, bowling a series of unplayable deliveries, and it was great for him to sign off the 2018 season in that style.

“There are more bowlers available after our recent injury problems, and it’s a time of year where we can keep looking at some of our young players.

“Players really stepped up last week with Ateeq Javid, Harry Dearden and Neil Dexter all taking on new roles, so we have a number of options ahead of the game.”

Leicestershire CCC (from 13): Ackermann (capt), Cosgrove, Dearden, Dexter, Evans, Griffiths, Hill, Javid, Klein, Mike, Parkinson, Swindells, Taylor.

* Leicestershire CCC’s final Specsavers County Championship game is against Glamorgan CCC tomorrow. Follow the latest from the game on our social media channels @leicsccc