Back fully fit and eager to put in match-winning performances out in the middle, all-rounder Luis Reece is hoping for an exciting year for Derbyshire this summer.
After suffering a metatarsal injury in May, the 28-year-old was ruled out of much of the 2018 season, returning in September before taking career-best figures of 7-20 in the final match of the summer.
A performance which typifies his determination to succeed, he is looking forward to what he hopes will be a successful season for Derbyshire for which the hard work is well underway.
He said: “It’s going to be an exciting year. We’ve changed a lot of things at Derbyshire itself – new backroom staff and different people coming in cricket wise as well.
“Change can be good and bad, but we’ve done it to try and improve ourselves and reach that next step which the fans are craving and I know the Members really want to see Derbyshire be successful.
“I can tell you first hand the players are working as hard as they can to get themselves in the best physical condition ahead of the season.
“In 2019, we’re hoping to go further in the white ball competitions – whether that be in the 50-over or Vitality Blast.
“Apart from a poor start, I think it was another good Twenty20 campaign last year. We left ourselves a lot to do, but we played well and overall we’re in a good place with good players and a good squad.
“In red ball there are three promotion places up for grabs this year, so if we can get ourselves in and around that fight that would be outstanding.
“We’ve got to keep putting ourselves in these situations and one day we’ll get over the line and win the silverware which we’re all striving for.”
Head of Cricket Dave Houghton and Assistant and Bowling Coach Steve Kirby will begin their first season in their new roles and Reece hopes their experience, alongside that of senior players, can contribute to more wins.
Reece added: “Dave [Houghton] and Steve [Kirby] coming in will only help people and the players’ abilities to go forward.
“You only have to look at our most experienced players – we’ve got Billy [Godleman] and Wayne [Madsen] among others – they’re not just good people on the field, but off the field as well.
“The young lads come in and see that here. When I grew up playing cricket I didn’t see that. It was a different culture, but here everyone is buying into that mentality.
“We all want to play well and win games for Derbyshire. Singing that winning song is the best part of what we do, alongside winning games for Members and seeing them entertained.”
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