Predicting the Foxes Line-up on Opening day

No doubt many will be cultivating their dream teams and though, the step-up to Division One may offer cautiousness in picking any Leicestershire players first-up, their could be a few sneaky positives to consider for the Foxes.

Here is The Fox's Andy Moore, predicting who will rock-up in the starting XI at Grace Road against Sussex on April 3rd. Let us know whether you agree with us or who you think may start instead?

1.) Rishi Patel 

The talented right hander has been a consistent part of this Leicestershire side since joining from Essex in 2022. He has built a solid reputation at the top order for the Foxes and will want to to target a season with 1000+ runs. Patel’s biggest battle will be to hit runs more regularly when coming up against better attacks in Division One.

2.) Sol Budinger

The swashbuckling left-hander will start the season as the opening day partner to Patel having earned his place with a decent amount of runs over the past couple of seasons in division two. His challenge will be to replicate that in Division One where he may have to curb some of his over-exuberant batting pros if Leicestershire are to maintain their place in the county championship division one this season.

3.) Rehan Ahmed

The highly rated youngster seems to have found his place at number three for the Foxes and will have one eye on replicating his form in 2025 and look to break into the England Test team this summer. Ahmed's style is of the attacking genre and we won’t expect him to play any differently in Division One. His useful, if expensive leg spin could be key in the latter part of the summer but it is his batting that will be key in maintaining the Foxes place in the top division for the following season.

4.) Lewis Hill

Long serving local-lad will start the season in the number four spot and we want to maintain his consistent 2025 form that helps the Foxes gallop to the Division Two title. With a larger squad and it being his testimonial year, he will need to hit the ground running with the Foxes, unable to maintain any passengers in their quest to stay in the division.

5.) Peter Handscomb

The Australian returns to the Foxes for a third straight season where he will once again take the reins and look to impart his experience on his squad and leave them feeling that they can compete and stay in Division One come the end of the campaign. Another solid summer in Australia bodes well for the Foxes and we know he has the class, technique and temperament to get the best out of both himself and his team. 

6.) Stevie Eskinazi 

A new signing for the Foxes, Eskinazi joins from Middlesex where he has spent the last decade+ playing in the capital and built a solid reputation in all formats. He has signed a 3-year contract and will bolster the middle order for the East Midlands side and look to be the anchor for the impressive lower order all-rounders that have worked wonders for the Foxes over the past couple of seasons. 

7.) Ben Cox

Another key in the Leicestershire cog, for the first time since joining, Cox will be under pressure to perform with the signing of Jonny Tattersall from Yorkshire. Cox’s ability to up the ante when needed probably sneaks him ahead in the pecking order first up but he’ll need to hit the ground running as well as ensure his wicket-keeping remains clean and tidy. 

8.) Ian Holland

The USA International has been a solid pick-up for the Foxes over the last couple of seasons in the all-rounder role and will once again be key to the county’s hopes of maintaining their Division One status. Holland is more of a bowling all-rounder and likely to opening the bowling but that doesn’t diminish his batting capabilities and if he has a good season, the Foxes will too. 

9.) Ben Green

To think that a player of the calibre of Ben Green will come in at number 9, shows just how solid this Leicestershire line-up is and the challenge for them will be to replicate that success in Division One with a bowling contingent largely made up of medium pace all-rounders. Green is very consistent and accurate and the chance to play regularly in red-ball cricket, was a big reason for his move. 

10.) Josh Davey

Joining the Foxes this season from Somerset, Davey will take on the mantle of the recently retired Chris Wright as the experienced head in the Leicestershire bowling department. A Scotland International, Davey has Division One experience that will be key for the Grace Road side and he’s the type of bowler that the coaching staff clearly value, one that can run in all day if needed, but also offer valuable lower order runs. 

11.) Tom Scriven

This was a toss-up between Scriven and Josh Hull but with spongy like pitches expected early in the season, he gets the nod for his seaming ability. Whilst the attack might seem a bit samey and not offer much variety, the value of Scriven at number 11 and his batting ability and more so, his consistency compared to Hull, edge it his way. Coming off a disappointing 2025, he will be the most under pressure for his place and will want to start well. 

Other considerations

The four players that will likely be in conversations for a starting birth for the Foxes on the opening day are - Jonny Tattersall, Josh Hull, Alex Green, Ajaz Patel - are all quality performers on their day and slipping any of these into the line-up would not be a surprise either, showing the strength in depth the Foxes have built.

Former Yorkshire wicket-keeper Tattersall will no doubt be piling the pressure on Ben Cox for the gloves but for us he'll need to wait for his opportunity to snatch them. Patel, as the second overseas star will come into consideration but his place simply comes down to the early season seamer-friendly conditions.

Both youngsters in Hull and Green will be wanting to show their worth but again going with Tom Scriven ahead of both of these, are due to the conditions expected in April and their worth will increase as the season wears on and the sun comes out.