Tom New

Squad Number - 18

Player Sponsor - Andersons

Born - Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, January 18, 1985

Joined - Leicestershire 2002

Role - Left Hand Batsman, Wicket keeper

Family - Married to Charlotte

Teams Represented - England Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Leicestershire

Honours - England Under-19

Highlights of Career - Making First Class debut, playing for England Under-19, double hundred for second team, being capped

Players Admired - Adam Gilchrist

Relaxations - Golf, football, music

It is safe to say that Tom New had a thoroughly excellent 2009 season. The wicket-keeper took over the gloves from Paul Nixon midway through the campaign and impressed with both his keeping and batting.

It was always going to be a tough job to replace Nixon, but New has gone about his task in his own individual style and put his own mark on the team.

Indeed, he skippered the side during a Pro40 game at Warwickshire, was capped towards the end of the season and signed a new three-year deal at the Club. That shows how far he has come since making his debut in 2003.

New initially flourished as an opening batsman for Leicestershire in 2007 and scored his maiden Championship century against Middlesex at the beginning of 2008.

However, times got tougher after that point and New ended the season on loan at Derbyshire, where he took a more active role with the gloves and batted in the middle order. That spell no doubt helped New settle into the role he now has at the Club.

New broke into the side in 2003, when he made his debut in one-day cricket for Leicestershire. It was in that year that he won the NBC Denis Compton Award after being earmarked as the most promising young player within the squad at Grace Road and he has fulfilled that promise.

A fierce competitor who places a high value on his wicket, New has been patient and taken his opportunities when they arose. He scored more than 800 first-class runs last season, broke into the one-day team and was safe behind the stumps, so County and New will be hoping that continues in 2010.

New's career record at Leics (up to end of 2009 season):

TJ New 2009 (75.60 kB)