Fit and firing after a busy winter, fast bowler Hardus Viljoen says he is ready to hit the ground running with Derbyshire this summer.
The formidable quick, who claimed the Club’s fifth best ever bowling figures with a blistering 15-170 versus Sussex last summer, is targeting a fast start to the campaign and contributions in all forms.
Part of an all-international pace bowling attack, alongside fellow South Africa quick Duanne Olivier and former West Indies international Ravi Rampaul, the 29-year-old is hoping the team can take 20 wickets on more occasions in the four-day format.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the season. It’s nice to be back, so we’ll see if we can hit the ground running.
“I think Duanne [Olivier] will bring experience and aggressiveness. Then Ravi [Rampaul] will be able to help the younger guys, and also myself. It’ll be good to pick his brain and make the best out of that.”
He added: “I don’t think there’s any excuse not to take 20 wickets anymore, so let’s hope we as bowlers can do our job and make it easier for the batsmen to do theirs.”
5⃣ matches
24 wickets ☝️
Average 21.54 ?
Career-best 8-90 ?@Hardus_Vilj impressed for #DCCC in 2017. Plenty more to come in 2018…#WeAreDerbyshire pic.twitter.com/NVvG9IDTzZ— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 15, 2018
Derbyshire’s pre-season continues with a trip to Weetwood to play Leeds/Bradford MCCU in a three-day non first-class fixture, starting on Friday 13 April.
They then return to The 3aaa County Ground for the season opener against Middlesex, starting on Friday 20 April.
Price freeze for 2018. Club Membership will once again offer one great value price for all in 2018. Join today for only £159 and don’t miss a moment of the action this summer.
