County’s academy intake announced

Published on 21/01/2013 06:22

Cricket Derbyshire has announced its Academy intake for 2013 and a groundbreaking academy partnership with the University of Derby.

The intake includes 12 Academy Members plus Ben Cotton who, having graduated from the programme last year, will captain the side as well as being a key member of the Second XI programme.

Six new players are included as Derbyshire continue to place emphasis on establishing talented home-grown cricketers; Perrijay Blair, Aaron Hibell, Callum Brodrick, Rob Hemmings, Rahib Ali and Harry Killoram.

The selected players will spend the winter working on their skills and taking lifestyle advice before embarking on a summer of cricket in 2013 under the Cricket Derbyshire – University of Derby Academy banner.

2012 saw four Academy graduates – Paul Borrington, Dan Redfern, Ross Whiteley and Tom Poynton – play vital roles as the club won promotion to Division One of the LV=County Championship as Champions.

There were also significant contributions in the Clydesdale Bank 40 and Friends Life t20 campaigns from Peter Burgoyne, Tom Knight, Alex Hughes and Chris Durham.

Ben Cotton, Tom Taylor, Greg Cork, Harvey Hosein, Greg Massingham and Rahib Ali all aided their development through appearances at 2nd XI level.

Hosein and Will Davis were part of the ECB’s prestigious England Development Programme at under 17’s level, whilst former Academy duo Danielle Wyatt and Georgia Elwiss were both selected for England’s ICC Women’s World Cup squad.

The partnership with the University of Derby, meanwhile, is an extension of their current sponsorship which will see them invest further in youth development within the Club and see Cricket Derbyshire support the University of Derby’s Team Derby cricket team. It is the first University/Academy cricket partnership in the country.

Head of Development Howard Dytham said: “I’m pleased to announce this year’s Academy intake on the back of such a successful season for Derbyshire in 2012.

“It’s fair to say with a higher percentage of new players on the programme, this year’s group is a little younger and less experienced than we’ve had in the recent past; although this doesn’t worry me as there is plenty of talent and variety to work with.

“I’m delighted once again to be surrounded by excellent support staff and coaches. The players are very lucky to have such dedication and commitment in the human resources they can use, which includes contracted hours from members of the professional squad.

“Now there is the added motivation and challenge of Division One cricket in Derbyshire, we’ve told the Academy lads that they need to be even better than the current 1st team squad if they are going to make it.”

Ollie Shearer, sports development manager, the University of Derby added: “We’re delighted to be focussing our investment around the development of young cricketers in Derbyshire.

“We are aiming to create sporting excellence within the University, objectives that fit perfectly with Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s emphasis on producing home grown players.”

Derbyshire County Cricket Club Academy 2013:

Will Davis

Years on Academy: Fourth Year

Club: Denby Cricket Club

Role: Right-arm seamer

Experience: Selected for the ECB’s England Development Programme for under 17s having previously represented The Midlands Under 15s.

Route to Academy: Staffordshire Cricket

Greg Massingham

Years on Academy: Fourth Year

Club: Stafford Cricket Club

Role: Leg-spinning all-rounder

Experience: Second XI County Cricket in 2012

Route to Academy: Staffordshire Emerging Players Programme

Tom Taylor

Years on Academy: Third Year

Club: Barlaston Cricket Club (Staffordshire)

Role: Bowling all-rounder (right-arm seam)

Experience: Second XI County Cricket in 2012

Route to Academy: Staffordshire Emerging Players Programme

Greg Cork

Years on Academy: Third Year

Club: Denby Cricket Club

Role: Left-arm seam bowling all-rounder

Experience: Second XI County Cricket in 2012