Leicestershire hope Jigar Naik will be a role model for the local Asian community. The offspinner, 22, became the first Leicester-born Asian to represent the county.

�..We hope it shows to the local community that, if you are good enough, you will get a chance,�.� says Phil Whitticase, Leicestershire�..s head coach. Naik, who progressed from Kibworth and Billesdon, was given his chance after consistent performances in the 2nd XI.

�..He gets the ball to pick up pace off the pitch and he extracts bounce and turn,�.� Whitticase says. �..He�..s at Loughborough University and hopefully will get more firstclass exposure with them next season.�.� Whitticase is already working with a promising batch of Leicestershire-born Asians in the county�..s academy, notably Ramandeep Singh Ghuman, a 12-year-old legspinner, and Shiv Thakor, a powerfully built 13-yearold batsman.

Paul Bolton, The Wisden Cricketer