Fast bowler Abi extends stay at Leicestershire
THIS WILL BE GOOD YEAR TO BE A FOX, SAYS AWARD-WINNER
QUICK bowler Abi Sakande has joined the list of Leicestershire players extending their stay at the Uptonsteel County Ground after impressing during the 2021 campaign.
The 27-year-old joined Leicestershire in June and made three first XI appearances after performing well for the second XI.
Leading the attack alongside the experienced Chris Wright, Sakande claimed seven wickets in three appearances as County finished fourth in Division Three of the restructured LV= County Championship.
He was the club’s leading wickettaker in the Second XI Championship, collecting 29 wickets at an average of under 23.
Sakande, who started his career at Sussex, has taken 47 wickets in his first-class career at 36.89 apiece and a further nine in List A cricket.
As well as being a talented fast bowler, Sakande was a recent winner in the Professional Cricket Association’s Futures Awards.
He has worked on equality, diversity and inclusion projects with the PCA, Sussex Cricket Board and Leicestershire CCC and started an MSc in environmental anthropology at the University of Kent.
Sakande is also part of Leicestershire’s sustainability working group.
He said: “I am happy to have extended my contract with the Running Foxes. It was great for me to earn a deal at Leicestershire last season and I am excited to push on with this squad to improve on our performances from last year. This will be a good year to be a Fox.”
Head coach Paul Nixon said: “We are delighted Abi has signed his extension. He has all the attributes to be a high-class bowler; height, lateral movement, pace and bounce.
“We are excited to see how he kicks on for Leicestershire in 2022.”