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COVERED

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After a successful first few years

in the shortest format, the Foxes’

challenges have tailed off and they

haven’t managed to add to their three

NatWest T20 Blast titles. A squad that

has had the experience and quality of

Neil Dexter, Paul Horton and Mark

Pettini added to it over the winter, not

to mention the availability of Clint

McKay for all three formats and Rilee

Rossouw and Umar Akmal for the

T20, Leicestershire look well set for a

better 2016.

One to watch: Rilee Rossouw

The South African all-rounder has

played 86Twenty20s in his developing

career and is seen by many as the

long-term replacement for Jacques

Kallis.

Overseas:

Clint McKay, Umar Akmal, Rilee

Rossouw

Northamptonshire Steelbacks

The Steelbacks squad relies heavily

on local talent and the return of

former England international Monty

Panesar adds to that home grown

feel. Rory Kleinveldt returns for all

formats and his lusty blows and key

wickets will be valuable to Northants’

chances of reaching the knockout

stages.They are also able to call on

Sri Lankan Seekkuge Prasanna for the

T20 season.

One to watch: Ben Duckett

Duckett’s contract situation was up

in the air for much of the winter but,

after committing to the Steelbacks,

the opener started the season in style,

striking an unbeaten double century.

Overseas:

Rory Kleinveldt, Seekkuge Prasanna

Worcestershire Rapids

The Rapids have a number of

young players who are ripe for a

run in the T20 competition and

marshalled by the experienced head

of Daryl Mitchell. Add to that the

international talent of Matt Henry,

Mitchell Santner and Kyle Abbott,

Worcestershire also have a glut

of bowling all-rounders who can

capitalise with the bat as well as ball.

One to watch: Joe Clarke

The first England Lions call up for

a teenage batsman since Joe Root,

Clarke is one of the in-form players

on the county circuit over the past

year.The wicketkeeper-batsman

can fit in to the top or middle of

the batting line-up alongside clean

strikers such as Tom Kohler-Cadmore

and RossWhiteley.