Andrew McDonald

Squad Number - 4

Player Sponsor - Peter Freer

Born - Wodonga, Victoria, June 5, 1981

Joined - SIgned in 2009, playing for Leicestershire in 2010 campaign

Role - Right hand batsman, Right arm medium bowler

Family -

Teams Represented - Victoria, Delhi Daredevils, Australia

Honours - Became fifth player in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup history to make 750 runs and take 25 wickets in a season when achieving the feat for Victoria

Highlights of Career - Making Australia test debut

Players Admired -

Relaxations -

Andrew McDonald comes to Leicestershire as overseas player in 2010 after forging a great reputation for both Victoria and Australia.

McDonald is one of only five cricketers to have scored 750 runs and taken 25 wickets in a Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup Season, and has been recognised at test level by his country.

The all-rounder’s record for the state of Victoria is excellent and he has captained them on a number of occasions.

In 2008-09, in seven Sheffield games he scored 356 runs at an average of 44 and took 22 wickets at 21. He also impressed in the Champions League tournament as his state side got through to the semi-final stage before losing to a strong New South Wales team.

McDonald regularly picked up wickets with his accurate medium-pace and batted well when he got the opportunity. A safe pair of hands and a player with a clever cricketing brain, McDonald will be an asset to the Club.

McDonald has played four test matches for Australia – all against South Africa – and did not let his team down. Despite that, and the fact that he excelled during a rare appearance in a warm-up game against Northants at Wantage Road, he did not get a look-in for the Ashes series and the ODIs and T20 games that followed during the summer.

Although Australia had early problems in the tour at the top of their order, a good batting display as an opener in that match could not give him a way in as the selectors opted for Shane Watson to go in up front instead.

And, as well as getting runs in a new role, he also bowled well in that game to demonstrate his credentials. It was therefore a surprise that he did not play a single competitive match during the tour.

Nevertheless, he always plays with a smile and has a real enthusiasm for the game.

McDonald, who has played with former Leicestershire favourite Brad Hodge for Victoria, will provide much-needed experience to the Foxes line up in 2010 and will be a key performer across all formats – particularly Twenty20, where Leics have an increased schedule.