Be ready for a battle, warns Ripley

An abject record in the LV= County Championship recently has seen the Foxes go two seasons without picking up a single victory.

But with a change in playing staff and management having taken place at Grace Road, Ripley is certain they will be a tougher proposition this summer.

“They will scrap hard,” the coach said ahead of his team’s game against their local rivals which starts tomorrow.

“I’ve heard some good stuff coming out of there and you have to expect them to be a challenging opposition.

“They have had a couple of difficult years but they will work hard.

“One of the things they have struggled with is the ability to take 20 wickets.

“But they have a good overseas bowler (Australian Clint Mackay) to help them with that now.

“They have already come out of a hard draw with Glamorgan and we know it will be a tough game.”