Derbyshire has named a 14-man squad for the three-day University fixture against Leeds/Bradford MCCU at Weetwood, starting on Friday 13 April; 11am.
Fast bowlers Hardus Viljoen and Duanne Olivier are both in line to make their first outings for the Club this summer in the non-first class match in Leeds. Both arrived in Derbyshire this week.
Luis Reece and Ben Slater both had time in the middle during the friendly versus Warwickshire earlier in the week, with the latter hitting the first half century of the summer as part of an unbeaten 147-run opening stand at Edgbaston.
The pair are likely to feature in the top order again alongside Billy Godleman, who hit three first-class centuries last season, and Wayne Madsen, who is entering his tenth season with the Club.
Gary Wilson, who has returned from his duties with Ireland, will take the gloves for the three-day fixture.
1. Billy Godleman
26. Ben Slater
10. Luis Reece
77. Wayne Madsen
18. Alex Hughes
20. Matt Critchley
9. Gary Wilson
28. Tony Palladino
32. James Taylor
41. Ravi Rampaul
44. Will Davis
75. Hamidullah Qadri
7. Hardus Viljoen
74. Duanne Olivier
Leeds/Bradford MCCU have been unable to start a match so far this summer after bad weather forced the abandonment of their two previous fixtures this month.
They were due to face Worcestershire and Yorkshire, but recent heavy rain meant no play was possible.
Two of the Derbyshire squad will be looking to impress on their return to Weetwood – top order batsmen Ben Slater and Luis Reece are both former players for the University side.
Leeds/Bradford MCCU Squad: Yet to be announced.
Fit and firing after a busy winter, fast bowler Hardus Viljoen says he is ready to hit the ground running with Derbyshire this summer.
The formidable quick, who claimed the Club’s fifth best ever bowling figures with a blistering 15-170 versus Sussex last summer, is targeting a fast start to the campaign and contributions in all forms.
Part of an all-international pace bowling attack, alongside fellow South Africa quick Duanne Olivier and former West Indies international Ravi Rampaul, the 29-year-old is hoping the team can take 20 wickets on more occasions in the four-day format.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the season. It’s nice to be back, so we’ll see if we can hit the ground running.
“I think Duanne [Olivier] will bring experience and aggressiveness. Then Ravi [Rampaul] will be able to help the younger guys, and also myself. It’ll be good to pick his brain and make the best out of that.”
He added: “I don’t think there’s any excuse not to take 20 wickets anymore, so let’s hope we as bowlers can do our job and make it easier for the batsmen to do theirs.”
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