Kirby pleased with squad's attitude

Assistant Coach (Bowling Lead), Steve Kirby, believes that attitude of Derbyshire’s squad has led them to upset a few sides, after they maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a draw at Durham. 

Heavy rain on Day Two and Day Four ruined any chance of a result at Emirates Riverside, although the 14 points picked up by Billy Godleman’s side extended their lead at the top of the North Group to five points, ahead of the final round of Bob Willis Trophy fixtures next month.

For now, Derbyshire will switch their attention to the Vitality Blast, which begins on Thursday, but they go into the white-ball campaign off the back of an unbeaten start to the season, having won two and drawn two.

A record-breaking win over Nottinghamshire and a comfortable stalemate with Yorkshire have been key to maintaining top spot, while a dominant performance at Leicestershire is another highlights.

Despite sharing the group with some formidable opponents, Kirby says that the confidence and attitude of the Derbyshire players has led them to a strong showing in the Bob Willis Trophy so far.

“I think if you look at the way we’ve gone about our business, we’ve snuck up on a few teams,” Kirby said.

“Notts are a strong side and there seems to be this perception with First Division, Second Division clubs. We are starting to show some of these First Division teams that we are a side to be reckoned with and I’m really pleased about that.

“I think it’s a real credit to all the players really. We’ve rotated the squad brilliantly, every single person is playing their part and we are playing as a full squad. The confidence is high in the group and we are obviously really pleased where we are.

“Quite a lot of the bowlers are young and inexperienced. When we played against Yorkshire last week, who arguably have the strongest batting line-up in the group with the likes of Bairstow, Lyth, Kohler-Cadmore and Malan, I  was so pleased with the way we conducted ourselves and the way we bowled.”

Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons return to Twenty20 action with ten North Group matches in search of the knockout stages. Follow every game live on our match centre at derbyshireccc.com. Derbyshire Falcons: Underestimated No More.