THIS week is topped and tailed by matches with Leicestershire, starting with tomorrow's vital C&G quarter-final. One of only two counties not to have been relegated from either of the first divisions since their inception, this year is proving a struggle for the Foxes.

DeFreitas and Nixon might have returned from their search for greener pastures, but losing Sutcliffe, Habib, Wells and, of course, Ben Smith has left a hole in their batting which they have sought to plug this year with their overseas selections, Virender Sehwag and Brad Hodge.

Their contributions have done much to sustain the Foxes' one day performances, which have been significantly better than their four day form.

Leicestershire have come to rival Yorkshire as the biggest exporter of cricketing talent, though in their case it would seem to have more to do with dissatisfaction than the embarrassment of riches in the broad acres.

Paul Nixon's return might seem to suggest an affection for Leicester shared with Gary Lineker, but it occasioned the sudden and acrimonious departure of Neil Burns, released after claiming 63 victims and scoring over 700 first class runs at 33 last season.

Burns is currently suing Leicestershire and the outcome of this case will determine whether professional cricketers' contracted employment will be treated as continuous or seasonal. If continuous, then cricketers will be able to sue for unfair dismissal like other contracted employees.

This raises the prospect that clubs, in order to avoid claims of unfair dismissal being lodged against them, will, like a school master (!) have to keep grading their players in order to alert them to as to their possible demise!

Things have clearly swung towards the players in recent years as contracts have become less binding and agents have increased negotiating power.

This might be a good thing but the increased financial and legal implications for the clubs will surely lead ultimately to smaller playing staffs. We live in a blame culture. How long before a bowler sues a club for a career curtailed through having to bowl on pitches made too flat!?

Before Leicestershire pay a return visit to New Road in the NCL on Sunday, Northants get the Twenty20 competition underway on Friday. Let's hope the start is more auspicious than the date (13th). I think it will be a hit.

A member commented to me that he and his friends weren't very keen. With respect, that doesn't matter. This is a new game intended to attract a new audience whose idea of entertainment might be a little more urgent than what cricket has traditionally offered.

The idea is to play the games in the long summer evenings for spectators to come after school and work. How ironic, therefore, that Graeme Hick and Co should, thanks to the requirements of television, be playing again at 10.30 the following morning in Bristol.

But before that Leicester, which can be a soulless and difficult place to play and the wily old fox a dangerous foe on his own territory. How sweet it would be for Ben Smith to return and win and in some way make up for the disappointments of last year's knockouts at Chelmsford and Taunton.