Leicestershire coach Andrew McDonald signs new deal

Leicestershire head coach Andrew McDonald has agreed a two-year contract extension.

The former Australia all-rounder, who was a former player at Grace Road, returned to lead the backroom staff last winter.

He has penned a new deal until the end of the 2017 campaign.

The Foxes ended a winless LV= County Championship run lasting almost three years when they defeated Essex last month and are third in the NatWest T20 Blast.

And McDonald believes the county have a bright future.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to continuing to shape the future of the club over the coming seasons.

“The support I've received from everybody has been fantastic.

"We have played some good cricket in the LV=County Championship and with a bit more consistency and taking our chances in the field, we would have had some more wins.

"We have also started well in NatWest T20 Blast and are looking to keep our good form going in that competition."

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Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan added he was delighted McDonald has extended his stay with the Midlands club.

He said: "We have made massive strides forward and it is so important to have continuity at the club as we build on the progress that we have made.

"Andrew has already had a massive impact on the players, who have responded extremely positively to his leadership style."

Leicestershire are next in action away to Durham in the T20 Blast on Friday.