Cricket Dec 07, 2025

County Championship cricket: Leicestershire promoted to Division One after over 20 years in second tier

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
County Championship cricket: Leicestershire promoted to Division One after over 20 years in second tier

Leicestershire will play in the top flight of the County Championship for the first time in over two decades after sealing a long-awaited promotion.

The Foxes were relegated from Division One in 2003 after finishing bottom and have featured in the second tier ever since.

Leicestershire were the only team yet to be promoted since the Championship split into two divisions in 2000 but ended that hoodoo after a

That result, coupled with the , means the Midlanders cannot now finish outside the top two.

Leicestershire ended up bottom of Division Two eight times between 2009 and 2022 and in four of those seasons they failed to win a match, registering back-to-back winless campaigns in 2013 and 2014 and then going blank again in 2017 and 2022.

However, the 1975, 1996 and 1998 County Championship winners have won six matches so far in 2025, a tally they will look to increase across their final two matches, at home to Kent from Monday and then at Northamptonshire from September 24.

Rehan Ahmed - who did not play against Gloucestershire this week because of England commitments - Peter Handscomb, Sol Budinger and Lewis Hill have all scored over 600 runs for the Foxes, with Ahmed hitting five centuries batting in the top three.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Ahmed has also contributed 23 wickets, including 13 in one game against Derbyshire, while Logan van Beek, Ian Holland and Ben Green have all taken in excess of 30 wickets - the latter during a spell on loan from Somerset ahead of a permanent switch from 2026 onwards.

Against Gloucestershire, Leicestershire were 93-1 from 30.3 overs in a chase of 316 before the afternoon's third rain interruption forced umpires to abandon play on the final day shortly after 4pm.

Tags:

cricket news id:13428724

Share this article

Related Posts

2026 T20 World Cup: Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed face visa delays for England ahead of tournament in India

2026 T20 World Cup: Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed face visa delays for England ahead of tournament in India

Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid have not had visas issued for the 2026 men's T20 World Cup, starting on February 7.Your Site News understands that the del...

Men's T20 World Cup 2026 squads: England, India, Pakistan, Australia, Ireland, West Indies, South Africa, Italy and more

Men's T20 World Cup 2026 squads: England, India, Pakistan, Australia, Ireland, West Indies, South Africa, Italy and more

Check out the squads for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, which takes place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, live on Your Site.India: S...

The Hundred: London Spirit sign Jamie Overton, Charlie Dean and Adam Zampa and reveal 'new brand identity'

The Hundred: London Spirit sign Jamie Overton, Charlie Dean and Adam Zampa and reveal 'new brand identity'

The Hundred's London Spirit have announced the signing of eight internationals for the 2026 campaign, while also revealing their 'new brand identity'....

Why are there tensions between Bangladesh and India ahead of T20 World Cup - and how could England be impacted?

Why are there tensions between Bangladesh and India ahead of T20 World Cup - and how could England be impacted?

Political tensions between the nations have led to Bangladesh refusing to travel to India for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, which starts on February 7...

The Hundred: Men's and women's squads for 2026 season which runs from July 21-August 16 live on Sky Sports

The Hundred: Men's and women's squads for 2026 season which runs from July 21-August 16 live on Sky Sports

Check out the men's and women's squads for the 2026 season of The Hundred, which runs from July 21-August 16, live on Your Site.Teams are allowed up...

BBL: Steve Smith booed by Gabba crowd after complaining about sight screen in game against Brisbane Heat

BBL: Steve Smith booed by Gabba crowd after complaining about sight screen in game against Brisbane Heat

Steve Smith was booed by the Gabba crowd during Sydney Sixers' win over Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, after complaining about spectators near...