Sam Conners says the experience he’s gained during the 2020 season has helped him to make a big step forward in his development.
The 21-year-old enjoyed something of a breakthrough campaign in Derbyshire colours, becoming a regular in the attack after seeing much of his game time in 2019 limited due to injury.
As part of an inexperienced bowling unit, Conners often took the new ball in Bob Willis Trophy fixtures, highlighting the confidence that Derbyshire’s coaching team have in the Academy graduate, and he duly repaid them with nine first-class wickets and best figures of 3-63.
The young quick played an important role as Derbyshire finished second in the North Group, with the joint-most points of any Division Two side, having bowled a number of good spells, and making an unbeaten five in a record last-wicket partnership with Leus du Plooy at Trent Bridge.
Conners was delighted with the opportunities he was given during the truncated season, and believes the benefits will show for Derbyshire’s younger players in 2021.
“To be a proper part of the side this year was great experience, ” said Conners.
“Last season, I only really had my two County Championship games, and it might have been more if not for injury, but I had a good winter and, even though it was difficult, I did everything I could to stay strong through lockdown.
“It was good to play as much as I did, and I think I held my own in the Bob Willis Trophy, to be a part of all that was really good.
“It’s a young bowling attack, but we’ve all done really well this year, and I hope we all have big futures ahead, for us to compete with some big sides was really pleasing to see.
“Going into 2021, we all have a lot of cricket behind us now, and hopefully we can use that experience to kick on.”
As well as the Bob Willis Trophy, Conners also made five appearances in the Vitality Blast, with his three wickets including the likes of the number-one ranked T20 player in the world, Dawid Malan, and former England opener, Adam Lyth.
Having switched between formats during the hectic fixture schedule, Conners admits that he struggled at times with the adjustment in style, but feels he will be better for the opportunity.
“I couldn’t have asked for any better experience,” he added.
“You’re playing against top players, you look at Yorkshire, they had Root, Malan and Lyth, you can’t really ask for much more in terms of experience to be honest.
“It’s hard to really describe the feeling when you get a player like that out, it’s kind of surreal because when you’re coming through, you watch them all the time, and to get two (Lyth and Malan) against Yorkshire was nice, it’s good to play in those matches.
“I didn’t have any experience in the Vitality Blast (before this season), so I found the process quite difficult, because your whole skill set changes in Twenty20 cricket, and that’s what stood out most for me, you have to change how you play your cricket.”
