We've made massive, massive progress - Nixon

Head Coach Paul Nixon feels that the 2018 season has seen Leicestershire CCC make “massive, massive progress” on the field.

“We doubled the amount of points we won in 2017, we bowled sides out twice in games eight times, something we didn't achieve once last year,” said Nixon.

“Although we've lost a couple of players to other counties, we've seen players progress, some exciting new prospects emerge and made some quality signings in preparation for next season.”

Defeat at Glamorgan CCC in the final match last week meant that the Foxes ended 2018 with 149 points and a sixth-place finish in Division Two, having won five of their 14 championship matches.

The final total of 40 bowling bonus points was second only to the 42 won by division champions Warwickshire CCC, but four of the five wins came in the first part of the season.

The final victory in September came in spectacular fashion at the Fischer County Ground when Durham CCC were bowled out twice for their two lowest scores in first-class cricket in just 52.3 overs.

“It was a season of two halves and we're disappointed about that because we were desperate to finish at least fourth,” said Nixon.

“A lot of comment has been about the batting, and of course anything is a concern if we're not doing it well.

“At the same time there have been a lot of pitches around the country this year which have been slightly under-prepared, a lot of games when the toss has been uncontested, and teams have been 40-4 or 50-5 on the first morning, and the ball is still seaming around on day three.

“We have to look at that and find a solution, but the county game also has to think about whether it's the best way of finding future Test players for England.”

Colin Ackermann (876) was the club’s leading scorer in the Specsavers County Championship, and although there were lots of good contributions throughout, County will look to strengthen the batting group in the close season.

“We want to add further to the squad, in particular another batter. There's a lot of movement going on and we're waiting to hear from several players' agents,” Nixon said.

There has been encouragement in the emergence of young all-rounder Ben Mike, who took 19 wickets in just seven innings, the long-awaited return to fitness of Tom Taylor, who picked up six wickets at Glamorgan CCC, and the signing of experienced Warwickshire CCC seamer Chris Wright, who collected 41 wickets in his club's title-winning campaign.

Confirmation that Muhammad Abbas will be returning to play Specsavers County Championship and the Royal London One-Day Cup next season will also lift every Leicestershire CCC supporter when they consider County's prospects in 2019.

In his 10 Championship appearances this season the Pakistan international seamer looked every inch the world-class strike bowler he showed himself to be in his country's Test victory over England at Lord's in May, taking 50 first-class wickets in 19 innings at an average of 17.72.

His return, together with the signings of Wright, exciting pace prospect Will Davis from Derbyshire CCC and hard-hitting all-rounder Arron Lilley from Lancashire CCC, mean County look well covered for the loss of Raine and Chappell.

“Mo has been an absolute class act this year, an outstanding bowler and a humble man who is a brilliant role model for our younger players, so it's great he's coming back,” said Nixon.

“It's about a four or five year plan, and I've made mistakes but also I think got quite a lot of things right. We've dealt with a lot this year, had to make some tough calls, especially releasing players, I've been there myself and know how it feels, but we expect a certain standard now from the players – we want to attract good players.

“It's a joy and a privilege to keep driving Leicestershire forward, and I am very grateful to the board and the staff for their backing. We are working together, pushing to win trophies.”

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