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

England's Harry Brook apologises for 'embarrassing' altercation with bouncer in New Zealand ahead of November ODI

England's Harry Brook apologises for 'embarrassing' altercation with bouncer in New Zealand ahead of November ODI

England's Harry Brook has apologised for "embarrassing myself and the team" after an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand last autumn.A...

The Hundred: Manchester Super Giants retain Jos Buttler and unveil elephant logo as part of team rebrand

The Hundred: Manchester Super Giants retain Jos Buttler and unveil elephant logo as part of team rebrand

Jos Buttler has been retained by the newly-named Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred, with the team formerly known as the Originals also unveiling...

The Ashes: Take on our big quiz after England's 4-1 series defeat in Australia

The Ashes: Take on our big quiz after England's 4-1 series defeat in Australia

England fans may wish to forget their team's 4-1 series defeat in Australia - but much do you remember about the Ashes just gone?Take on our big quiz...

Alyssa Healy: Australia cricketing great to retire after India series

Alyssa Healy: Australia cricketing great to retire after India series

Australia captain Alyssa Healy will retire following India's upcoming tour after a trophy-laden 15-year career that has seen her win eight World Cups....

The Ashes: Ben Stokes promises to be 'ruthless' in response to England's 4-1 series drubbing in Australia

The Ashes: Ben Stokes promises to be 'ruthless' in response to England's 4-1 series drubbing in Australia

Ben Stokes said he's not afraid to show his "ruthless" side as he looks to lead England's recovery from their 4-1 Ashes drubbing to Australia, adding...

Michael Atherton: Ashes defeat will 'haunt England for years' - 'they did not give themselves chance to succeed'

Michael Atherton: Ashes defeat will 'haunt England for years' - 'they did not give themselves chance to succeed'

Michael Atherton fears England will be "haunted" by their latest Ashes failure for years to come.England lost the series in just 11 days of cricket af...