'We're In A Great Place' | Hill Praises Team Spirit After Cyprus Trip

As Lewis Hill prepares to embark on his second full campaign as Club captain, we caught up with the homegrown star to reflect on the mood in camp after last week’s warm-weather trip to Cyprus.

“I think this was a crucial trip for us,” says Hill. “Spending some time away from cricket together after such a long winter programme was invaluable, and it’s incredibly pleasing as a captain to see how tight-knit our squad has become. We’re in a great place.”

The four-day venture to Paphos afforded the Foxes squad an opportunity to escape the incessant rainfall back in the East Midlands and accrue some crucial fitness and team building time in the picturesque Mediterranean clime. 

“Unfortunately, we aren’t in a position to go away and practice cricket abroad,” Hill explains. “But because you’re in the Indoor School for so long, I think there’s an argument you can do too much. You need time to refresh the batteries from the winter because it’s a relentless six months ahead.

“A lot of the skills you need in sport rely on team building, and we definitely focussed on that. We’ve worked non-stop on our technical game from November onwards, so it’s important to give the guys a relaxed environment to socialise. It was great for team morale.”

Part of the Leicestershire furniture for over a decade now, Hill has seen it all at the Club. As well as the success last summer brought with the Foxes lifting the Metro Bank One Day Cup, it’s the squad’s collectiveness Hill rhapsodises about most.

“We said on the trip how impressive the tightness of the whole group was. It says a lot about how well we get on as a team and how much we back each other. There are no cliques; everybody’s together, and I think that’s reflected in the way we play our cricket.”

Alongside building spirit and fitness levels, the squad also held in-depth discussions about team strategy and game plans for all three formats “ spearheaded by Head Coach, Alfonso Thomas, who also gave a candid account of his cricketing journey.

“Fonz gave a great presentation,” Hill recalls. “He spoke about his life experiences around the world, as well as his playing and coaching journey. It offered the lads an insight into how he approaches his coaching and why he works in the way that he does, which I thought was fantastic. The guys learnt a lot about him as a person, as well as a coach.”

Thomas’ successful tenure as Interim Head Coach last summer culminated in Leicestershire ending their 38-year-long drought for a List A trophy, and earned the South African the role on a full-time basis. It’s an appointment Hill is fully behind.

“Fonz has been brilliant for us. The atmosphere he’s built in the changing room and the communication between players and coaches is so strong. Obviously, we had a great run in the One Day Cup last year under his leadership and we’re so determined to replicate that success this summer.”

The trip also presented a first opportunity for the squad to welcome Liam Trevaskis, after the former Durham spinner jetted back from a winter with Midland Guildford CC in Western Australia. One of four new domestic signings, Hill has been pleased with the Foxes’ recruitment over the off-season.

“Our additions have gelled brilliantly,” he says. “Liam’s settled in really well. He seems like a gritty and determined cricketer who knows his game and backs his ability. It’s fantastic to have him with us.

“Likewise for Ben Cox, I think he’s in the top three wicketkeepers in the country. He’ll add vital experience and a winning mentality. I’m thrilled that Ben Mike is back as well. We all know his capabilities and he’s someone who has the potential to put in match-winning performances. I captained him in the One Day Cup in 2021 and I feel like I got a lot out of him, so we’re hoping for more of the same this season.”

Along with Scott Currie, who has since arrived back from Scotland duty, Leicestershire have assembled a streamlined squad for the 2024 season. Something Hill thinks will drive competition and generate healthy selection headaches.

“We’ve got a group of 19 players and each one of them has a genuine chance of playing that first game of the season. It creates problems for the selection team, but you can sense the hunger in each member of the squad, and that’s exactly what you want as a captain.

“In previous years we’ve arguably had a bloated squad, but it’s still been evident who the starting XI will be. This year that’s certainly not the case.”

Marcus Harris’ return is set to complete Leicestershire’s options for 2024’s opener at Headingley, with Hill champing at the bit to get his second season as full Club captain underway.

“I can’t wait to get going,” he beams. “I’ve got great people around me, and I think we’ve got a group ready to bring more success to Leicestershire.

“I really enjoyed my first year as Club captain. I’ve had time to reflect over the winter on the things I did well and the things I can improve on. For me, it’s about helping the team to get better and striving to win games for Leicestershire, and I can’t wait to step out onto the field at Yorkshire and help the team achieve those goals.”

To watch Hill and his Leicestershire side in action this summer, secure a 2024 Club Membership HERE.