Get off the mark this week with six quickfire stories to keep you up to date with news from Derbyshire.
The new season is just over 30 days away, as Derbyshire begin the new Specsavers County Championship campaign versus Middlesex at The 3aaa County Ground from Friday 20 April.
As preparations continue for the 2018 season, we take a look at the latest news from the Club from around the world.
1. Olivier receives Test call-up
Duanne Olivier has been added to South Africa’s squad for the last two Tests against Australia later this month.
The fast bowler, who will join Derbyshire as overseas player for the first half of 2018, could be in line to feature in his sixth Test for South Africa, after making five appearances in 2017.
The paceman has taken 17 Test wickets at an average of 23. In total, he has featured in 72 first-class matches, claiming 284 wickets at an average of 22, with 16 five-wicket hauls.
Olivier has impressed in recent weeks with South Africa A and the Knights, which has earned him a call-up for the final two Tests in the four-match series. Go well, Duanne.
2. Critchley called up to North-South series
Matt Critchley has joined the North squad for the North-South series in Barbados this month.
Critchley was called up after impressing with the England Lions as part of their one-day series vs West Indies A in Antigua, as an injury replacement for Paul Coughlin.
The 21-year-old all-rounder has had an impressive winter abroad. He hit two centuries for Liverpool-Fairfield in Sydney, scoring 594 runs at an average of 66 in total, as part of his ECB Overseas Placement.
His performances earned him a call up to the England Lions squad earlier this month, becoming the first Derbyshire player to represent an England side since Dominic Cork in 2002.
??@mattcritchley96 with his North teammates ahead of the North-South series, which starts on Sunday.#WeAreDerbyshire pic.twitter.com/pXhYWseJTk
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) March 16, 2018
3. Godleman keen to replicate April conditions in training
Billy Godleman is pleased the Derbyshire squad are set to train in conditions they will face in April, with the season now just one month away.
He said: “When we get the opportunity to go outside, that is the best way of replicating the conditions we are going to face in the opening game.
“Netting in the middle of March, those conditions will probably be exactly the same as the ones we will start the season in. Sometimes when you go abroad the conditions are so different to what you will encounter at the start of our season.”
4. Club to review replacement options after Santner injury
New Zealand international Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of his spell with Derbyshire in 2018 due to a knee injury.
The all-rounder, who was due to join the Club for the entire Vitality Blast and the final seven Specsavers County Championship matches, will undergo surgery and will be out of cricket for six to nine months.
The Club are now reviewing its options for an overseas replacement, led by Cricket Advisor Kim Barnett, Specialist Twenty20 Coach John Wright and Club Captain Billy Godleman.
5. Ireland in Super Six action
Ireland and Gary Wilson face a tough test to progress from the qualifiers to the ICC Cricket World Cup after winning two and losing two matches in the Super Six stage so far.
Just two teams will progress to the tournament in 2019, and currently Ireland sit in fourth with West Indies leading the way. Ireland face Afghanistan in the final game, knowing they must win and hope that other results go their way.
6. T20 Walkathon launched
Enjoy a night of Vitality Blast action, get active and raise money with the Cricket Derbyshire Foundation’s (CDF) T20 Walkathon, from Nottingham to Derby, on Friday 13 July.
The walkathon returns for a second year and will see fundraisers walk 20 miles from Trent Bridge to The 3aaa County Ground in time for the big Vitality Blast derby between Derbyshire Falcons and Notts Outlaws (7pm start, approx. 9.45pm finish).
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons host seven Twenty20 games this July and August. Purchase your tickets in advance and save from £4. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
[twentyticket]
