Opening batsman Ben Slater says he is targeting a place in all competitions for Derbyshire after impressing in List A cricket last season.
The left-handed batsman hit three List A centuries last summer, including two in the Royal London One-Day Cup after cementing his place at the top of the order.
His unbeaten 148 versus Northamptonshire was the highest score by a Derbyshire batsman in List A cricket against a fellow first-class county, and he ended the 2016 one day competition with 328 runs at an average of 82.
After his successful campaign last time out, Slater is now eyeing a spot at the top in all three formats in 2017.
“I’ve got to get in the side at the start of the year in both the red and white ball competitions,” Slater said.
“I want to turn my attention to the Twenty20 now as well. I’m not a big hitter, but with the way I play, after showing form in the 50 over competition, I think I can do that in the Twenty20 as well at the top of the innings.
“That’s something I will aim towards, but cementing my place in the four-day and 50 over competitions is where I want to be.”
Slater is back in training with the Derbyshire squad having spent five months in Australia, playing for Kingston Hawthorn alongside Derbyshire teammate Alex Hughes.
Slater top-scored with 105 and hit two other half-centuries during his spell with the Victoria side and believes the experience will pay off this season.
He added: “I’ve been back in training with the squad for around three weeks and we’ve now got the marquee which is different to what we’ve done before.
“It’s something different and I think it can only be a good thing to be playing outside on grass wickets which are similar to what we will be playing on this season.
“Instead of being in the nets working on technical things, I have continued to play and I think once the English season progresses and I have hopefully put in some good performances, then I will know what areas Australia has had an effect on my game.”
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