Monday 13 October 2014 16:06, UK
Highly-rated wicket-keeper/batsman Ned Eckersley has handed Leicestershire a much-needed boost by signing a one-year contract extension.
The Foxes have had a terrible year, finishing bottom of Division Two for the second season in succession, and, just like 2013, they failed to win a single Championship match.
Things got worse at the end of the season with four of their best players deciding to leave for pastures new.
Captain Josh Cobb has joined Northamtonshire, their leading fast bowler Nathan Buck has gone to Lancashire, opener Greg Smith has moved to Nottinghamshire and promising all-rounder Shiv Thakor has signed for Derbyshire.
But Eckersley will remain at Grace Road for the 2015 season.
Leicestershire's director of cricket Phil Whitticase said: "It is great that Ned is staying with us at Leicestershire because he is a quality top-order batsman who has a big role to play here.
"Ned has scored more than 2,000 runs in first-class cricket over the last two years and has also had an impact in one-day cricket. Ned was our Player of the Year in 2013 and we look forward to him playing a key role in 2015."
