Borrington in Derbyshire deal

Paul Borrington has been impressive during his stint in the Derbyshire first team

Derbyshire academy graduate Paul Borrington has been rewarded for his impressive form at the top of the Derbyshire order with a new two-year contract.

The 20-year-old right-hander’s new deal will see him become a full-time professional when his final year at Loughborough University comes to an end in the summer of 2009.

Borrington, who made his first-class debut at the age of 17 in September 2005, broke into the LV County Championship team this season and has kept his place ever since, scoring half-centuries against Northamptonshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

This summer also brought a maiden first-class hundred for Borrington as he blunted Worcestershire’s attack for over four hours in scoring an unbeaten 102 to earn the Loughborough students a draw in May.

His 85 against the same county three months later became his highest score for Derbyshire to date and he shared an opening stand of 176 with his captain Chris Rogers in the recent LV County Championship match against Warwickshire.

Head of cricket John Morris said: “Paul has shown maturity beyond his years at the top of the order since breaking onto the first team midway through the season and he thoroughly deserves his first professional contract.

“With a solid technique and an excellent temperament already in place, Paul can go on to enjoy a very successful career and we will give him every opportunity to achieve that here at Derbyshire.”

Borrington added: “It has always been my dream and ambition to be a professional cricketer so I am naturally delighted to have signed a two-year deal.

“Getting a run in the first team this season has benefited my game a great deal and thankfully I have been able to take the opportunities that have come my way well enough to earn a professional contract.”