Allrounder Arron Lilley signs new Leicestershire contract

The hard-hitting batsman and off-spinner joined the club from Lancashire and played a key role in Paul Nixon's side reaching last season's T20 Blast quarter-finals

Leicestershire allrounder Arron Lilley has signed a new three-year contract with the county.

The hard-hitting batsman and off-spinner joined the club from Lancashire and played a key role in Paul Nixon’s side reaching last season’s T20 Blast quarter-finals, before being knocked out in cruel circumstances by eventual winners Nottinghamshire.

Lilley ended the competition as Leicestershire’s highest run-scorer, including a career-best T20 effort of 69 in a win over Durham. He went through the campaign with a strike rate of 139, hitting 33 boundaries.

On agreeing his extension, he said: “It’s nice to sign three years here. I have been here for two years now and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Nico and the lads. We have had a few new recruits in the winter as well and we are all looking forward to getting going.

“We had a really good campaign last year and I hope that we can push on from that next year and the years after that. Nico has brought a great group of lads together and we all feel we have something quite special.”

Nixon, the county’s head coach, added: “Arron has matured well during his time with us, and in particular last season he was outstanding. He really helped with our new standards as a club.

“As an experienced player who has the X-Factor, his consistency to be a match winner in T20 cricket is just what we require and we are delighted to sign this longer term deal.”

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