Wicketkeeper-batsman Ned Eckersley has boosted depleted Leicestershire by signing a contract extension at Grace Road.
Despite the likes of Shiv Thakor,Nathan Buck,Josh Cobb and Greg Smith moving on to pastures new, the 24-year-old has decided to commit his future to the club for another 12 months.
Eckersley has been a shining light for Leicestershire during a two-year period that has seen them fail to win in LV= County Championship Division Two.
He has registered 3,180 first-class runs in 53 appearances at an average of 36.13, including eight centuries.
Also a useful limited-overs performer, Eckersley has 489 List A runs at 30.56 to his name and has hit 327 at 17.21 in Twenty20 cricket.
Leicestershire 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.”
Meanwhile, promising batsman Aadil Ali has been added to the professional staff for the 2015 season.
A Leicestershire Academy graduate, Ali - who can also bowl off-spin - was an integral member of the club’s second XI treble-winning side this year.
Ali struck 62 in the Championship final against Essex and his unbeaten 14 off just five balls was crucial in the Foxes’ 11-run triumph over Somerset in the Twenty20 showpiece.
Senior coach Lloyd Tennant said: “Aadil played his role in the second XI really well, whatever was asked of him.
“He can clear the ropes in one-day cricket and helped us to win some matches. His innings in the T20 final was one example. Aadil hit a couple of sixes towards the end of our innings and we ended up winning by 11 runs.
“Aadil also played solidly in the Championship. His innings in the final against Essex was terrific.
"When he came in at three we were a long way off getting past their first-innings score, which was the first objective because it was the deciding factor if the game was drawn.
“We were also looking at winning the game, so needed people to score at pace.
“For him to come in and play the way he did, which was score at about a run a ball, was great. Aadil has done well for us in all formats. He is a real team player and deserves the opportunity to join the staff.”