Foxes Revisited: Leicestershire T20 Hero Jim Allenby

Yet few players were more influential to that success than Jim Allenby.

The Australian all-rounder spent six years at Grace Road, becoming a key figure in one of the most successful white-ball sides the county has produced.

Nearly two decades on from that famous T20 victory, Allenby has swapped county cricket for business ownership, coaching and entrepreneurship, but his affection for the game remains as strong as ever.

The Gap Year That Became A Career

Remarkably, Allenby's journey to Leicestershire wasn't part of some carefully planned route into county cricket. Instead, it all began with a gap year.

"Originally it was to play club cricket in the north east on a gap year," Allenby explained.

At the time, he was playing Under-19 cricket for Western Australia and harbouring ambitions of reaching the very top of the game.

"I was playing Under-19 cricket for WA back in Perth and was trying to play for Australia.

One year became two, two became several more, and before he knew it, Allenby had built an entire career in England.

"One gap year turned into two. Two turned into 19!" After impressing in club cricket and the Second XI, Leicestershire handed him a professional contract during the 2005 season.

More Than Just A White-Ball Player

Although many Foxes supporters remember Allenby primarily for his exploits in one-day and T20 cricket, he insists that wasn't how he viewed himself.

"I was always and remain very keen on four-day cricket. I loved the challenge of trying to win a first-class game."

While opportunities often came in Leicestershire's strong white-ball side, Allenby never saw himself as a specialist.

"I was lucky to get opportunities in a very good Foxes team in white-ball cricket, but at no point in my career until the end did I specialise in white-ball cricket. My record suggests that I performed at least as well in first-class cricket and I love that format."

Why The 2006 Team Was Different

Leicestershire's 2006 Twenty20 Cup-winning side remains one of the most beloved teams in county cricket history.

Allenby believes preparation was one of the biggest reasons behind that success and also quick to praise the influence of captain Jeremy Snape.

"We were the most prepared side by a long way. Jeremy Snape was an exceptional captain and we had people who knew how to win, with some of us young and fear-free players. It was a good mix and a great blend of players and personalities that led to that trophy."

A Final For The Ages

Allenby's finest moment in a Foxes shirt undoubtedly came in the 2006 final. He smashed 64 from 41 balls, took two wickets and bowled the final delivery of the match as Leicestershire secured the trophy.

However, while supporters remember the celebrations, Allenby's immediate thoughts were rather different. The all-rounder admits his heart was briefly in his mouth after delivering the final ball.

"Yeah my heart was in my mouth for a moment to be honest. It was raining so heavily we just needed to get off, but the umpires rightly wanted the game to end naturally."

Even now, he laughs about what many supporters remember as a perfect ending.

"I do regret that ball at times, as it was one of my best games of cricket – team and personally – and it would be nice to be remembered for the performance more so!"

Four Wickets In Four Balls

Allenby's name is also etched into Leicestershire folklore thanks to a remarkable achievement in 2008 when he claimed four wickets in four balls during a T20 match. Surprisingly, he remembers the game itself being rather forgettable.

"It was a largely regulation game to be honest. Lancashire were too good for us and we got steamrolled a bit. I remember the moment well – not much time to reflect as it was the 20th over and we were soon batting."

And because it happened before social media exploded, Allenby feels it never quite got the attention it deserved.

"In an era before social media, no one really made a big deal about it. Nowadays it might get more airtime."

The Dramatic Departure

Allenby's departure from Grace Road in 2010 remains one of the more controversial exits of that era and contrary to popular belief, he had every intention of staying, however, contract negotiations with the club became increasingly strained.

Allenby claims a winter offer made by then-chief executive David Smith was "well below a serious offer" and that relations deteriorated significantly as the season progressed. What followed was a dramatic stand-off.

"I had no intention of leaving. I was given a deadline to sign a contract extension and to get capped, but I didn't want to be bullied into a contract and I was given 10 minutes to leave the ground."

Looking back, there appears to be little bitterness, largely because what followed proved to be the most productive period of his career.

"It was very silly and to be honest affected him and the club more than me. I happily went to Glamorgan for the best years of my career."

Knowing When The Time Was Right

Allenby eventually retired in 2017 after spells with Glamorgan and Somerset. Unlike many professional sportspeople, he had no desire to cling on indefinitely and by then, family life was becoming increasingly important.

"I was more than happy to finish.I had played at three clubs. Four would have been too much I think. I was ready to get on with the next phase of life with a young family."

Still Coaching, Still Loving Cricket and Life Beyond Cricket

Cricket has never completely disappeared from Allenby's life. In fact, coaching had been part of his journey almost from the beginning. After retirement he established his own coaching business, which remains successful today.

"I had always coached. Even as an 18-year-old I would coach for some extra money and I also loved it. When I finished I set up my coaching business, which is still going well. I coached my club to seven premierships in four years."

Nowadays he works with a select group of players ranging from county cricketers to international performers.

"A few international players, county and Big Bash players, which keeps me in the game enough."

While coaching remains important, business now dominates Allenby's professional life. In 2018 he co-founded Parvate Sustainability, which has grown significantly in recent years. He's also involved in a coffee company called Blue Duck and helps businesses explore opportunities in India.

"That business has grown and takes up the majority of my time. Great fun, all of them, but not many hours left in the day."

Could County Cricket Beckon Again?

For all his success away from the game, Allenby still speaks fondly about county cricket. He has worked with Australian Test and white-ball sides and continues to coach elite players privately. Would he return to county cricket in a full-time role?

"I am not sure.I should get back to cricket at some point, I love the game and helping people get better."

And perhaps the strongest clue comes when he reflects on county cricket itself.

"I would dearly love to be back around county cricket, because, even after all these years, I still miss it. I love the environment and the county grind."

For Leicestershire supporters who watched Allenby help deliver one of the county's most memorable trophies, that passion for the game will come as no surprise whatsoever.