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Blast preview
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.