Batsman Callum Brodrick insists the hard work starts now as he targets a regular first team spot after earning a first professional contract with Derbyshire last summer.
It was a breakthrough year for Brodrick, which included a maiden first-class half-century against the West Indies and a debut in the T20 competition.
After recovering from an illness which saw his progress in 2017 halted, Brodrick earned seven first-team appearances in 2018 and now he wants to use the winter to push on and put himself in consideration for a regular place in 2018.
He said:”I’m really pleased and it was my goal at the start of the season to earn a place on the staff.
“The previous year was a difficult time for me and a dampener on the progress I was making. But I’ve come out on the other side of that illness now and it’s put it in perspective. Cricket is only a game, but it’s a game which I love and which I want to play professionally. So every time I go out on the field I do feel lucky.
“It was a fantastic experience to make my T20 and first-class debuts so now I’m looking to move on from that and cement a place in the first team, that’s where you want to be playing your cricket.”
The Derbyshire squad return to winter training in November and Brodrick is already looking ahead to opportunities that will arise for the younger players in 2018.
“This is when the real hard work starts this winter. It’s going to be tough, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to keep working on my skills and my game, it’s the start of the hard work, not the finish.”
He added: “I started off in the T20 squad and that’s an area I see as a strength, but I want to play all formats. If I work hard this winter and put in some good performances then there’s every opportunity to progress to being in the first team. You’ve seen it this year with myself and Hamidullah Qadri that if you bat, bowl and field well you will get your chance.”
Making his first-class debut against the West Indies in the day/night Bell & Co Tour Match, the 19-year-old hit 52 against the strong touring attack, which included experienced Test players Jason Holder and Kemar Roach.
He said: “It was surreal being around all of those Test players, but it was a game I really enjoyed, particularly facing against a top-quality attack.
“I have been around the Second team quite a bit and in the Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby so I’ve played a lot of cricket and like to think that I’ve made the transition well and settled into the professional game.”
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