Despite recent BBL snubs, Handscomb to captain Leicestershire T20 side

Peter Handscomb will captain Leicestershire in the T20 Blast this season, with director of cricket Claude Henderson saying he has "all the qualities" despite a lack of recent exposure to the format.

Handscomb has made just six appearances in the past two seasons of the Australian Big Bash League and was without a contract last year until Melbourne Stars called him in as a last-minute replacement after first-choice wicketkeeper Sam Harper suffered a serious injury.

But Leicestershire is banking on Handscomb's wider experience as they look to qualify for the T20 Finals Day for the first time since 2011 when they won their third T20 title.

Handscomb initially signed for Leicestershire for six County Championship matches last year but had his contract extended and ended up making five appearances for the Blast, including three as captain. He signed a two-year extension at the end of last season, covering 2024 and 2025, and is the leading run-scorer in the Championship this season with a century and three fifties in five innings.

Leicestershire won the Metro Bank Cup last year and will be hoping their 50-over form carries over to the T20 Blast.

Leicestershire finished bottom of the North Group last summer with two wins from 14 matches, at a time when chief executive Sean Jarvis was forced to deny the club was in crisis following the sudden departure of coach Paul Nixon.

Handscomb's return to the club is expected to be accompanied by the arrival of overseas players Ben Mike, Liam Trevaskis, Scott Currieand Ben Cox. Rehan Ahmed should be available throughout after being left out of England's T20 World Cup squad.

Leicestershire's first Blast match is against Yorkshire on May 31. The group stage of the tournament runs until July 19, with the quarter-finals and final day taking place in September.