New recruit Cobb is making a swift return to his old second home

It is only a few months since Josh Cobb left Leicestershire - and now he is heading back.
Josh CobbJosh Cobb
Josh Cobb

Admittedly it is only for a few days as his new county Northamptonshire take on his old one in an LV= County Championship clash starting on Sunday.

But, even so, the 24-year-old admits his reappearance at Grace Road has come a little quicker than he might have hoped.

“Not that it holds any fears for him, though.

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“Looking at the fixtures when they came out I wasn’t too happy seeing it so early in the season,” Cobb said.

“It would have been better if it came a little later on but it’s got to be done at some stage.

“There won’t be any nerves.

“To be honest I would probably rather the first game back there was a Twenty20 match.

“At least that way you can stand on the boundary and get abused by the crowd and get it out of the way.

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“I think that would almost be better than going back there in front of a crowd of about 20.”

Despite still being a relatively young cricketer, Cobb spent eight seasons in the Leicestershire first-team - having made his debut at 17 - and a lot more in the age groups.

It means Grace Road has been a second home to him, especially when you consider his father Russell 34-year association with the club as player and coach.

So remembering which room to go in on his return might be the first test he comes across.

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“I spent a long time playing my cricket there so it will be strange,” Cobb added.

“It might take a bit of thinking to make sure I get the right dressing-room door!

“That is a positive thing about going back.

“They have extended the away dressing-room which is good to know as the old one was about as big as my living room.

“I understand there is going to be a bit of weather about and you wouldn’t want to be stuck in that old room for too long with a game rained off.

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“I left Leicestershire because I wanted a new challenge and a fresh way of doing things.

“Anyone who leaves a county to play elsewhere will always want to perform when they go back but it doesn’t add any extra pressure on.”

And does his inside knowledge on the Foxes give his new side an edge?

“I’m sure we’ll have a chat about it,” he admitted.

“I can give a few tips but then it works both ways because they will also know about me.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“They’ve got Andrew McDonald as head coach there now - who I know well - and I’m certain he will have them set up to be tough to beat.”