Luis Reece says he wants to kick on next summer after a successful first season with Derbyshire as he looks to continue to repay the faith shown in him with performances on the field.
Reece, who recently signed a new three-year deal to keep him at the Club until the end of 2020, enjoyed a fruitful first year with the county in 2017.
He hit 732 runs at an average of 36 in Specsavers County Championship, with two centuries, and added 433 runs in the T20 Blast, including a joint-record four half-centuries and a top score of 97 not out.
He said: “You work incredibly hard throughout the winter and into the summer, and then when you put in good performances it’s always nice to be rewarded at the end of it.
“Billy [Godleman] gave me a role in the side and it was nice to be able to go out there, express myself and repay that faith with some good performances. I want to keep repaying that faith and put in performances to win games for Derbyshire.”
Reece is now targeting a regular spot in all forms and is hoping that his white ball progress in the T20 Blast will have earned him the opportunity for a place in the Club’s One-Day Cup side next summer.
He added: “Everyone’s working hard for a spot so you have to keep working hard to get better and better. People have been pushing for places all year so everyone knows that if you don’t perform, someone will be waiting. Everyone is hungry for success and that can only be a good thing for the Club.
“I hope I can get a more regular spot. I knew there was a settled One-Day side here at Derbyshire, with players playing well. I had to wait and I’m hoping my skills in the T20 format has enhanced my opportunity in One-Day cricket. But I’ve got to make sure I work hard this winter and if I get an opportunity next year I take it and make the spot mine.”
Derbyshire recorded three Specsavers County Championship wins in a much improved first-class campaign, but the all-rounder wants to see greater consistency and victories at home in the competition.
Reece said: “When you win your first four-day game in a couple of year’s it’s nice and we went on to win three, could have won four. We’ve got to make sure what we did well and work on the areas we need to improve on.
“Hopefully next year we can start winning games consistently at home, we’ve got to find a way to be successful at home because that’s what supporters come to see.”
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