Leicestershire believe that the signing of Matthew Hoggard will act as a spur for all their players at Grace Road.

But, with 668 first-class wickets under his belt and 248 victims from 67 Test matches, it is a fair bet that the County's seam bowlers will be relishing the arrival of their new captain as much as anybody.

Leicestershire have plenty of young pace bowlers who are in the early stages of their career with the likes of Harry Gurney, Sam Cliff, Nathan Buck and Alex Wyatt all having featured at first-team level last season.

"As a young bowler I'm delighted that Matthew has signed for us," said left-arm paceman Harry Gurney.

"Someone of his calibre with so much Test and championship experience can only be beneficial to a player like me."

Gurney also believes that Hoggard will cut the mustard as captain. "I think he will be bring a lot to the role," he said.

Buck, who has just returned from Bangladesh where he shone on a demanding tour with England under-19s, agrees with Gurney.

"With the Test cricket he has played, I'm sure I can learn a lot from Matthew," said Buck, who is still only 18.

"I think it is a massive signing for us. It will be good to have him around the changing-room with his knowledge of the game."

And wicket-keeper Tom New "can't wait" for the ball to be thudding into his gloves from Hoggard, preferably via the outside edge of opposition batsmen's bats.

"To attract someone like Matthew Hoggard is a huge stride forward for the club," said New, who took over from Paul Nixon midway through last season as the club's No1 wicket-keeper.

New is clearly an admirer of Hoggard. "He is a very consistent performer," said New, who is currently in winter training at Grace Road with his colleagues.

"He's had 15 years at Yorkshire and taken nearly 250 Test wickets for England. He will be very reliable. The lads know what they will get from him and when they will get it. I'm sure he will bring quality and experience to all the younger players at the club."

Former Surrey, Gloucestershire and Sussex player Roger Knight is guest of the Leicestershire Cricket Society at Grace Road next Thursday (7.30pm).

Knight, a former MCC secretary, is now chairman of the European Cricket Council.