Derbyshire reveal academy members

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Derbyshire’s academy, four of whose graduates aided their 2012 LV= County Championship Division Two title, has confirmed its intake for this year.

Paul Borrington, Dan Redfern, Ross Whiteley and Tom Poynton played vital roles in Derbyshire’s promotion while other graduates Peter Burgoyne, Tom Knight, Alex Hughes and Chris Durham made important limited-overs contributions.

The 2013 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 Derbyshire’s second XI programme.

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

Derbyshire's 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.

Derbyshire's title last year was aided by four academy graduates: Paul Borrington, Dan Redfern, Ross Whiteley and Tom Poynton

“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 first team squad if they are going to make it.”

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 club’s partnership with the University of Derby, the first of its type.

The link with the university is an extension of their current sponsorship that will see them invest further in youth development within the club and see Derbyshire support the university's cricket team.

Sports development manager at the University of Derby Ollie Shearer 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."

Last year academy members Cotton, Tom Taylor, Greg Cork, Harvey Hosein, Greg Massingham and Rahib aided their development through appearances at Derbyshire second XI level.

Hosein and Will Davis were part of the ECB's England Development Programme at under-17 level while former academy duo Danielle Wyatt, who represented England in the Women’s World Twenty20, and Georgia Elwiss were named in England women's 2013 World Cup squad.

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