Leicestershire vs Sussex

The long, long winter comes to a close as county cricket returns. Yesterday's news of Head Coach Paul Farbrace announcing his departure at the end of the campaign completed an offseason marred with challenges, but that's all been pushed into the past as Friday marks the opening day of the County Championship schedule, with Leicestershire the destination. 

And there is real optimism about the squad and the season. There's been some re-shuffling behind the scenes, too, with John Simpson moving to a Club Captain role as Ollie Robinson steps up to lead the side in the County Championship. Farbrace remains committed for the duration of the campaign, and has built a squad he is confident can lift the Division One title.

Team News

Paul Farbrace has confirmed a 14-player squad for the trip up to Leicester, with Dan Hughes returning to the XI following his recent arrival from Australia. New arrivals Tom Price and Jack Leaning are in the squad for the first time, with Robinson ready to captain the side.

Bowlers Sean Hunt and Dom Goodman both miss out on the squad through injury. 

Squad: Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Ibrahim, Lamb, Leaning, Price, Robinson (c), Simpson, Tear

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The Opposition 

A bustling winter of ins and outs for the Division Two champions who will feel they have strengthened both with the bat and the ball. They're on the up, literally, having finished clear at the top of the table by 48 points. Ben Green, Stephen Ezkinazi, Jonny Tattersall, Josh Davey and Yadvinder Singh have all joined the Midlands club, though Davey is a doubt for this fixture.

Leicestershire's seam attack has been rocked a little in recent weeks, as Josh Hull, Ben Mike and Alex Green all join Davey as unlikely to feature. Overseas Peter Handscomb has announced he won't play any part in this season due to personal reasons, signing Jake Weatherald as a replacement for the opening six games.

Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel is another overseas signing for Alfonso Thomas' side.

How to Watch

You will be available to watch all four days of our season opener via Leicestershire's YouTube channel, or you can join us at the Uptonsteel County Ground by purchasing your tickets here.