Chris Highton will take on the role of Second XI Coach and Head of Analytics ahead of the 2023 season.
Highton, who holds the ECB Level 3 Coaching Qualification, developed the Club’s approach to analysis during the 2021 and 2022 seasons in his role as First Team Analyst. He will now move into a more hands-on coaching role with the Second XI, while overseeing the Club’s Analytics department, which recently welcomed former Derbyshire all-rounder, Alex Hughes, into the fold.
He will continue to lead on first team analysis, supported by Hughes, with the pair working with the Second XI to help prepare Derbyshire’s young talents for the senior squad.
Having previously coached with the England disability teams, Highton has an established coaching career and will continue to be a key member of Mickey Arthur’s coaching setup.
On the move, Arthur said: “Chris has such an array of skills that we wanted to utilise his coaching ability more, especially with Alex [Hughes] joining our analytics team.
“He’s been a vital part of our development so far, with his analysis work and that will continue, but now I feel that we have a well-balanced coaching setup, which brings a high standard of support at all levels.
“It’s important that our Second XI get the same level of support and detailed analysis as our first team, and this move will ensure that Daryn Smit can also put his full energy into our Pathway, which continues to grow.
“We have so many talented youngsters coming into our Second XI, and having Chris working with them will prepare them for the expectations of the first team.”
Highton added: “This is a really exciting development for me and I’m looking forward to working with our Second XI, while continuing my work with the first team.
“I enjoy coaching and I know the standards expected by Mickey, so we want to make sure all of our players in the Second XI are getting that advice and preparation before they make the step up.”
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