Derbyshire name a 13-man squad for the Specsavers County Championship match against Kent at The 3aaa County Ground, starting on Wednesday 29 August.
Captain Billy Godleman, who has signed a three-year contract extension until the end of the 2021 season, will look to continue his form from Hove, where he hit a fine 122 in Derbyshire’s first innings.
The opener is likely to be joined at the top of the order by right-handed batsman Tom Lace, after he joined on loan from Middlesex for the remainder of the season. He replaces Ben Slater after his move to Nottinghamshire.
Harvey Hosein will take the gloves with Gary Wilson still away on international duty with Ireland for the ODI series against Afghanistan.
Ravi Rampaul has been passed fit for the fixture after missing the majority of the last match away at Sussex with breathing difficulties. He has seen a specialist and been given the all clear to return to action.
Young seamer Alfie Gleadall, however, remains unavailable due to a lower back stress fracture. Luis Reece, meanwhile, continues to recover from a metatarsal injury suffered at the end of May but is still not fit to return to action, whilst fast bowler Will Davis also misses out through injury.
1. Billy Godleman
27. Tom Lace
77. Wayne Madsen
18. Alex Hughes
87. Sean Ervine
20. Matt Critchley
16. Harvey Hosein
65. Anuj Dal
28. Tony Palladino
7. Hardus Viljoen
69. Lockie Ferguson
75. Hamidullah Qadri
41. Ravi Rampaul
Kent remain in the promotion race after an eight-wicket win over Leicestershire last time out.
They currently sit third in Specsavers County Championship Division Two on 134 points, 11 points behind Sussex.
Heino Kuhn leads the batting averages for Kent, with 565 runs at an average of 40.35, while Sean Dickson (612) and Joe Denly (544) have also hit over 500 runs this summer.
Matt Henry returns after the Vitality Blast competition to lead the bowling attack for the visitors. Back on the ground at which he featured for Derbyshire in last summer’s Twenty20 competition, he will be aiming to add to his 49 red ball wickets.
Harry Podmore is the second-leading wicket taker with 32, while Darren Stevens has 26 at an average of 20.26.
Kent squad: Sam Billings (c/wk), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Sean Dickson, Heino Kuhn, Harry Podmore, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart, Ivan Thomas, Adam Riley, Matt Henry, Oliver Robinson.
Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson believes he has more to offer as he continues to work his way towards red ball form following an exceptional Vitality Blast campaign.
Admitting he has not played much red ball cricket in 2018, he claimed four wickets against Sussex and is now looking forward to getting a red ball back in hand at The 3aaa County Ground.
He said: “I was taking confidence in from the white ball, but it shows you that when you change formats it can be a big change.
“It was a shame we didn’t quite get to their score and it was one of those games where we missed chances at key moments. These are the learnings we take into the next game.
“Once I bowl a few more overs and get myself into the games, I’m hopeful that I can put the performances on the board that can we can get wins with. Everyone’s hungry to play well and everyone’s putting the work in off the park.
“It’s that confidence and aggressiveness which will stand us well in the last five games. I’m looking forward to getting back out there and proving myself again and looking forward to the challenge.”
Four-day cricket is back! Derbyshire host three Specsavers County Championship matches in August and September. Buy your tickets in advance and save.
