Holland Eyes Championship Title as Leicestershire Seal Promotion After 22-Year Wait

Leicestershire have officially ended a 22-year exile from the top flight of the County Championship, securing promotion from Division Two following a rain-affected draw against Gloucestershire at Grace Road. But acting captain Ian Holland insists the team’s ambitions don’t stop there — they now have their eyes firmly set on clinching the Division Two title.

Holland, who was 27 not out when handshakes were exchanged, described the mood in the dressing room as "emotional, exciting, and full of relief" after the result guaranteed Leicestershire a top-two finish. With a lead of over 50 points above Derbyshire and Middlesex — both of whom played out their own draw — promotion was sealed with two games still to play. Only Glamorgan, currently 25 points behind, can still challenge Leicestershire for the title.

“We're savouring this moment to get promoted, but it's not a full celebration just yet because now we want to win the trophy as champions,” said Holland. “To be promoted is a great achievement for this club. It's a credit to the people who have turned it around over a period of time.”

A Long Road Back to the Top

Leicestershire's promotion marks a remarkable turnaround for a club that, not long ago, was struggling at the bottom of the Championship table. From 2012 to 2015, they endured a winless run of nearly three years in first-class cricket. But recent seasons have seen steady progress — including a triumphant 2023 Metro Bank One-Day Cup win, their first List A trophy since 1985 — and now, finally, a return to the County Championship’s elite.

“This isn’t just a six-month thing, it’s been a few years in the making,” Holland added, paying tribute to Director of Cricket Claude Henderson, head coach Alfonso Thomas, and outgoing CEO Sean Jarvis. “The players have been able to go out and play the way we have this year because things are right off the field.”

Holland, who took over the captaincy after Pete Handscomb returned to Australia, admitted that promotion exceeded even their own expectations at the start of the season.

“If you’d asked me then if we were going to get promoted this year, I wouldn’t have put my house on it,” he said. “But we clicked early, got those wins under our belt, and it’s paid dividends.”

Stars of the Season

Among the standout performers was Rehan Ahmed, currently away on England duty. Ahmed smashed five centuries in ten matches while taking 23 wickets at an average of 19.00 — including 13 in a single match against Derbyshire.

“There have been contributions from everybody,” said Holland. “Rehan has been phenomenal, but the consistency across the team has really summed up our group.”

Holland also praised regular skipper Pete Handscomb for his leadership earlier in the campaign. “He’s been amazing — calm, composed, and really set the tone for this group,” he said.

Grit to the End

Leicestershire were made to work hard for the decisive points in their final outing. After trailing Gloucestershire by 140 runs in the first innings — despite a century from Shan Masood — they were set a tough fourth-innings target of 316. But heavy rain throughout the week thwarted any chance of a result, and the draw was enough to seal promotion.

“In this game, it’s a real credit to the guys how we fought back,” Holland said. “We didn’t collapse chasing a big total, we kept it steady, showed intent, and got the result we needed. That says a lot about this team.”

Focus Shifts to Silverware

Leicestershire will enjoy a well-earned celebration, but Holland made it clear that the job isn’t finished.

“There will be a few beers tonight, for sure,” he said with a smile. “But we want to go on and win the trophy now — that’s very important to us.”

Related:

• Leicestershire celebrate promotion after 22 years in exile

• Rehan Ahmed’s stellar season powers Leicestershire’s charge