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Leicestershire will set about building on a positive start to the season when they face Glamorgan in the LV County Championship at Grace Road tomorrow (11am).
Good performances with bat and ball saw the County get the better of the drawn opening match against Kent at Canterbury this week.
A century from opener Greg Smith and a maiden first-class half-century from Angus Robson meant that Leicestershire were able to put runs on the board, with Matthew Boyce also contributing a half-century in the first innings.
“Greg played an excellent innings with a lot of very good cricket shots,” said director of cricket Phil Whitticase.
“Angus is on our books as an opener but he batted at No.4 against Kent and adapted very well to the role. Whoever the batsmen are, scoring runs always gives them confidence.”
Whitticase was also happy with the way the bowlers went about their job putting Kent under pressure in both innings of a game which saw the first day washed out by rain.
“Bowling-wise we were very disciplined,” Whitticase said.
“I think Charlie Shreck helps to give us that control.
“With the balance of the side, we also had good options in our attack.”
Jigar Naik provided the bulk of the spin bowling and while he again impressed, Whitticase was also happy to see him score important runs.
Leicestershire still have doubts about skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan (back) and all-rounder Dan Redfern (finger) but they will be given every chance to prove their fitness for the game and increase the competition for places in the batting line up.
If West Indian Test batsman Sarwan does not make it Josh Cobb will continue in the captain’s role having led the side well at Kent.
Glamorgan will be without their leading wicket-taker, Michael Hogan, for the game.
Hogan, who ran amok in Division Two last season with 67 wickets, has returned to Australia to attend the birth of his second child.
Will Owen comes into the squad and the attack will be led by left-armer Graham Wagg.
The Welshmen began the season in stunning fashion when they hammered Surrey by 10 wickets at the Kia Oval, helped by Wagg’s career-best 6-29.
The weather affected their second match, a draw with Gloucestershire, but their batsmen struggled in both innings of that game, something Shreck and co will no doubt hope they can cash in on over the next four days.
