Leicester Mercury

Former Foxes skipper to leave County

LEADING T20 RUN-SCORER SECOND EX-CAPTAIN TO DEPART WITHIN TWO DAYS

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A SECOND Leicesters­hire County Cricket Club captain in two days has announced his departure from the club.

Mark Cosgrove will leave the club at the end of his contract, County said.

He arrived at the club at the start of the 2015 season, and has scored 7,348 runs in all three formats for the Foxes.

The 36-year-old South Australian’s 12 first-class centuries for the County included 188 at Derbyshire CCC.

He is also the club’s leading runscorer in T20 history. Cosgrove said: “I appreciate­d the opportunit­y to come into Leicesters­hire County Cricket Club at a difficult time and help to rebuild as your captain.

“It is an opportunit­y I’m grateful to have been given. Thank you to everyone at Leicester for being so welcoming to my family and I.”

Head Coach Paul Nixon said: “Cozzie has scored many runs for us and he played a significan­t role in changing the club’s on-field fortunes over the past five seasons.

“Mark is a quality batsman who gave everything to his teammates and to the club.

“I’d like to thank him for his time with us and he leaves Leicesters­hire with our very best wishes.”

Leicesters­hire CCC chief executive Sean Jarvis said: “The 2020 season presented unique circumstan­ces, and Mark’s selflessne­ss gave opportunit­ies to other players. “We would like to thank Mark for his contributi­on to the Running Foxes and wish him all the very best for the future.” Earlier this week, another former County captain, Paul Horton, announced he was retiring from first class cricket. He said: “After 421 games and 19 years in the profession­al game, at two wonderful clubs, it’s time to say goodbye to first-class cricket.

“I have been fortunate enough to have a career in something I could only have dreamt of as a child. It’s been great fun.”

Leicesters­hire have also announced the signing of batsman Scott Steel on a three-year deal after he rejected a contract extension at Durham. The 21-year-old has made two first-class appearance­s.

I appreciate­d the opportunit­y to come into Leicesters­hire and help to rebuild as your captain

Cosgrove

 ?? STU FORSTER/GETTY ?? HITTING OUT: Mark Cosgrove was prolific in white and red ball cricket
STU FORSTER/GETTY HITTING OUT: Mark Cosgrove was prolific in white and red ball cricket

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