Premier League winner blows bowler kiss after hitting six into river on cricket debut

Leicester City legend Christian Fuchs channelled his inner Ben Stokes by smashing a six on his cricket debut.

The Austrian, who played a pivotal role in the Foxes’ fairytale Premier League title win in 2016, turned out for Derbyshire-based Grindleford in a friendly match against Riverside Notts on Sunday.

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The 40-year-old quickly showed he was a dab hand at cricket by contributing to a run out before hitting a six into a river. The Austrian then cheekily blew a kiss to the bowler.

Recalling Fuchs’ heroics, Riverside Notts bowler Hasan Mahmood said: “The umpire said, ‘go easy on him, it’s his first game’.

But the 23-year-old delivery driver may have wished he’d not gone so easy on the former left-back especially when he blew a kiss at him.

“I didn’t mean to bowl a full toss to him. It just happened,” Mahmood told BBC Sport.

“Next thing you know, I get whacked for a six.

“It ended up in the river next to the [ground]. I’m surprised he didn’t make me go and get it.”

Ups and downs

It proved to be an eventful weekend for Fuchs, who resigned from his role as head coach of Newport County the day before his cricket debut.

Fuchs took charge of the Welsh side in November 2025 in what was his first managerial role.

But he could only lead the Exiles to nine wins in 30 matches in charge.

His first taste of cricket appeared to go much better than his managerial venture having posted 2-20 from his 3.2 overs as Grindleford dismissed Riverside Notts for 150.

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“His bowling, he was throwing it but it was alright,” Mahmood added.

“It was his first game, so it is what it is. We gave him the benefit of the doubt and didn’t say anything to him.”

Fuchs, who batted at no.6, picked up 12 runs off 18 deliveries, including a four and his cheeky six on their way to a one-wicket victory.

“When he got out, he was chatting to all of us. He was a very, very nice guy,” added Mahmood.

“It was a surprise to actually see him there because it was so random. It’s a random game on a Sunday and we just see a Premier League winner there.”

Fuchs enjoyed a 21-year career, playing in Austria, Germany, England and the USA.

He signed for Leicester in the summer of 2015 from Bundesliga side Schalke and spent six years at the club, winning the Premier League and FA Cup.

The defender made over 650 appearances  for club and country including 78 caps for Austria where he captained them at Euro 2016.