It's all change at Leicestershire for 2006 as the County embark on a new era under the leadership of a new coach and a new captain.
Tim Boon has taken on the role of head coach effectively replacing the departed James Whitaker and Jeremy Snape is the new county captain after HD Ackerman decided to step down from the post.
Boon is no stranger to Grace Road having served 15 years with the club as a player and left his position as the English national teams analytical coach to take the reigns at Leicestershire. It is an impressive appointment as the County have been devoid of a top coach since the days of Jack Birkenshaw. Boon will bring with him a wealth of experience having started off his coaching career at minor county side Norfolk and then progressing to the coach of the England U-19 squad and then finally joining Duncan Fletchers regime with the full national team.
Snape is an exciting choice as captain. Known for his guile and innovation when bowling and in the field, Snapper will get the choice to bring these strengths to the front line as the new skipper. Largely unavailable in Championship cricket for the last two yearsdue to a Sports Science degree course, Snape is now available full time and we shall look forward to his his new ideas and methods.
Leaving the club at the end of last season was most disappointly Ottis Gibson. The West Indian and naturalised Englishman, was County top bowler over the last two years and also played some important innings with the bat. He will be sorely missed and we wish him well at his new county Durham. The club decided not to renew overseas player Charl Willoughby's contract for 2006 and now the South African has signed for Somerset under the Kolpak ruling. Even though Charl did not set the world alight last season, surely he should have been signed under this ruling by Leicestershire. Charlie Dagnall and Phil Defreitas have both retired from first class cricket but both players barely played last season due to injury.
Arriving at Grace Road for the new season is Pakistan star Mohammad Asif. When signed at the back end of last year he was largely unknown but in the last few months he has emerged at Pakistan's number one pace bowler and even though his season with Leicestershire will be brief due to his inevitable selection for the England bound Pakistan touring squad, there is a real air of expectation and excitement to see him in action.
The only other signing for the Foxes is 23 year old Marc Rosenberg who is expectd to play mainly second team cricket this season. The South African, who qualify's as an English player, is a former Loughborough UCCE player and has also represented North West in South African first class cricket.
Of the current squad, the talent is definitley there but the consistency is not. With the introduction of Boon it is hoped he can nuture the talents and help them flourish and fulfill their undoubted potential. Darren Maddy disappointed in Championship cricket last year but you cannot knock his consistent one day form and hopefully this year will see him flourish in every competition. John Sadler was having an excellent 2005 until a broken collar bone halted his progress and John Maunders was showing signs of developing into a useful all rounder. Darren Robinson and HD Ackerman were the County's most consistent batsmen last year as both passed 1,000 Championship runs and HD was the top performer in 20/20 cricket. Paul Nixon played many important innings but once again will find himself under pressure from the impressive Tom New and bowling wise Stuart Broad will be hoping to hoping to continue his rapid progression as he shares the new ball with Mohammad Asif and David Masters shall be looking to carry on where he left off after being named as the club's player of the year for 2005. With the emergence of Tom New and Stuart Broad the Foxes will be hoping for continued development from the youngsters, with Jimmy Allenby, Matt Boyce, Paul Harrison, Ryan Cummins and Chris Liddle all chomping at the bit for a place in the side.
This season could be one of learning and re-building but then again under our new leadership the Foxes could spring a few surprises and make serious challenges on all fronts - which they have a habit of doing.
