Derbyshire has named a 12-man squad for the Specsavers County Championship opener against Durham at The Pattonair County Ground on Friday 5 April; 11am start.
Luis Reece is set to open the batting alongside Billy Godleman, after the all-rounder showed good form in pre-season as he hit 96 and took 3-49 in the 336-run win over Leeds/Bradford MCCU.
Wayne Madsen and Harvey Hosein bolster the batting line-up, as the former enters his 11th season with the club.
Both batsmen recorded centuries in the victory against Leeds/Bradford MCCU, with Hosein hitting his career-best score of 138 not out in a 187-run partnership with Madsen.
Ravi Rampaul is set to lead Derbyshire’s bowling attack, whilst he will be supported by Tony Palladino following a successful 2018 campaign for the experienced seamer, when he claimed 51 wickets at an average of 19.72.
Logan van Beek could make his first-class debut for the county, as the all-rounder looks to impress in his first season in England. He has over 100 wickets in his red-ball career to date, with best figures of 6-46.
1. Billy Godleman
10. Luis Reece
77. Wayne Madsen
27. Tom Lace
18. Alex Hughes
16. Harvey Hosein
20. Matt Critchley
65. Anuj Dal
37. Logan van Beek
28. Tony Palladino
14. Ravi Rampaul
59. Sam Conners
Durham visit The Pattonair County Ground on Friday as the club embarks on a new era under new leadership and branding.
Alex Lees is expected to captain the side in Cameron Bancroft’s absence, with the 25-year old set to open batting for Durham.
Experienced batsman Will Smith is set to support Lees at the top of the order, he has over 9,500 first-class runs to date whilst he also impressed in the match against Durham MCCU as he hit 179.
Ben Raine has re-joined the county from Leicestershire and the all-rounder will provide a reliable option with both bat and ball. He also took six wickets in the victory over Durham MCCU in March.
Chris Rushworth is likely to lead the bowling attack for the visitors after a successful season last summer when he was Durham’s leading wicket-taker with 60 at an average of 20.01.
Durham squad: Alex Lees (c), Gareth Harte, Will Smith, Michael Richardson, Jack Burnham, Stuart Poynter, Ned Eckersley, Ben Raine, James Weighell, Liam Trevaskis, Josh Coughlin, Matt Salisbury, Chris Rushworth.
Head of Cricket Dave Houghton is confident Derbyshire can compete in 2019 ahead of the season opener against Durham.
The former Zimbabwe international believes Derbyshire should aim high this summer, whilst he is also excited about Logan van Beek’s first season at the club.
“Logan has got good pace and he’s also a decent batsman so we think we’ve got exactly the right guy and the fact we’ve got him for the season is magnificent,” said Houghton.
“I think the rebuilding side of things is done and was done some years ago. This is a competitive little unit and if we give it the right impetus and the right coaching and help off the field, I think we can compete.
“I think we can safely say playing on our home ground where we tend to leave a little bit of grass on to give some pace and bounce that we’ll probably bat first so we are going to have to take on difficult batting challenges.
“But with the strength in depth in our line-up it’s not something which worries me at all, in fact I think it will be a real bonus for us.
“In 2012, we went up with Yorkshire who went on to win the Championship two years in a row. We won that year, they came second, and I think we need the same attitude this season, let’s aim to win it.”
Live Stream
Derbyshire is pleased to continue its partnership with Stream AMG and Purpose Media to provide a free live streaming service for 2019, which will offer live ball-by-ball footage with a live score overlay graphic.
You can watch all the action live HERE.
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Tickets
Tickets are available on the gate with an Adult ticket priced at £16 (£12 in advance), Junior ticket £5 (£4 in advance) and Students £5 whilst Adult tickets for Day Four are also priced at £10. Car Parking is available on the day; £5 on the gate (£4 in advance).
Click HERE to buy tickets online or call 01332 388 101.
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons host seven Twenty20 games this summer. Purchase your tickets in advance and save. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
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