His off-season pursuits include playing bass guitar, co-hosting radio shows and planning his latest haircut.
 |  If any youngsters want to play they've got to be better than him and at the moment no one is |
But it comes as some surprise to discover Leicestershire seamer Charlie Dagnall spent part of pre-season training in a young offenders' institution. Thankfully he was accompanied by his team-mates for circuit training with the resident PT instructors, part of a new fitness regime.
"We were told the day before that we were meeting at half-past-seven in the morning and to bring some ID - that was it," Dagnall told BBC Sport.
"It was absolutely shattering work but good fun and the team has benefited greatly from it."
Spurred on by relegation last year in both the Championship and the one-day league, coach Phil Whitticase and captain Phil DeFreitas decided on a new approach.
Leicester rugby club fitness trainer Chris Toombs was brought in to provide an off-season programme for each player, and the results are already showing.
"We're a lot fitter, leaner, stronger and more powerful and hopefully we'll reap the benefits during the season," says Dagnall.
"I personally can feel the benefit in my bowling.
"I have put on a yard of pace from last year; I'm more powerful and stronger around my shoulders."
DeFreitas leads by example, with training partner Dagnall describing him as "the fittest 38-year-old I know". He adds: "He works so hard in the gym - the sweat that pours off him in the winter is testament to his love of the game and his desire to do well.
"If any youngsters want to play they've got to be better than him and at the moment no one is."
There is a healthy competition for places in this year's side, though, after an influx of players presided over by returning of director of cricket James Whitaker.
All-rounder Jon Dakin has returned to Grace Road, bringing opening batsman Darren Robinson with him from Essex.
 Dagnall expects a much-improved pace attack in 2004 |
Veteran former West Indies bowler Ottis Gibson is likely to do as much coaching as playing. But the South African duo of pace bowler Garnett Kruger and spinner Claude Henderson - via a controversial loophole in the regulations - are both expected to top the wicket tallies.
"Claude is a top-class spinner and I think we needed one. Whatever the situation is regarding the regulations it has worked for us," says Dagnall.
"When we were in the First Division people were touting us as relegation candidates but this year people view us as promotion candidates."
Dagnall puts last season's woes down to a combination of poor morale and confusion over an injury to Virender Sehwag that saw the Indian batsman leave early.
| LEICESTERSHIRE 2004 Director of Cricket: James Whitaker Captain: Phil DeFreitas Overseas players: Brad Hodge, Garnett Kruger Players in: Jon Dakin, Garnett Kruger, Darren Robinson, Nick Ferraby, Chris Liddle, Claude Henderson, Ottis Gibson Players out: Devon Malcolm, Virender Sehwag, Vasbert Drakes, Trevor Ward, Jamie Grove, Matt Whiley, Luke Wright, Rupesh Amin |
Much will again be expected of the other overseas player, Brad Hodge, who became Leicestershire's first triple-centurion last season. "The targets are promotion in both [Championship and National League], to have as good a Twenty20 Cup as we did last year and then to get as far as we can in the C&G," Dagnall says.
"If you're winning in the Second Division and take that into the C&G your confidence builds and you can take on whoever."
Dagnall himself hopes to "do his job" back in the seam-bowling pack, relieved of last year's regular burden of opening the attack.
As for his off-field plans he says: "I'm sure my band Two-tone Deaf with Darren Maddy will get together for a jam session.
"We give out free earmuffs to people who can't stand it."
Failing that, his team-mates might be on the phone to the local lock-up.
MMIX
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