Although England have the West Indies visitors to look forward to in May, June, and July, most England cricket fans are now busily trying to catch up with the county side of cricket. For me, that means the Leicestershire Foxes of Grace Road, for whom the summer looks especially busy. The team are already having to make do without Darren Maddy, who recently signed with Warwickshire, but now RP Singh has left to join India’s tour of Bangladesh as well. South African pace bowler Charl Langeveldt has been signed as an interim replacement, but Singh will be sorely missed.

Paul Nixon and Stuart Broad have both been named to the England 25 (potentially the England 30), but for now theyâ?(tm)re back home with the Foxes. Iâ?(tm)ve yet to discover how long itâ?(tm)s been since there were two Leicestershire players on the field for England at the same time, as these teammates were in the super eights of the World Cup against the Windies. I can only hope they will have similar chance again this summer.

As for the Foxes, theyâ?(tm)ve gotten off to a rather rocky start this season, with three early defeats. The fourth time, however, must have been the charm as they triumphed over Worcestershire in the Friends Provident Trophy by a margin of 42 runs. Both Nixon and Broad were back for the match which found them on a pitch that was generally begrudging of runs. Despite their best efforts, Leicestershire only managed a modest 231 before being dismissed. But thanks to an outstanding effort by their bowlers, including Captain Jeremy Snape who sealed the victory by snatching two wickets in three balls, Worcestershire failed in their run chase.

This week, as the County Championships continue, the Foxes find themselves battling Gloucestershire, the latter fresh from a stinging defeat at the hands of Surrey who managed a world record-breaking 496 for 4 for a limited overs match. Leicestershire won the toss earlier today and decided to field; since weâ?(tm)ve returned to the more proper form of the game, it will be a day or two before we know much more.