Clarke leaves Derbyshire

Former captain Rikki Clarke’s ill-fated spell at Derbyshire is over after the county freed the player from the final year of his contract.

The move represents a remarkable turn of events after the former Surrey all-rounder signed for the county in the summer and was immediately installed as captain.

Rikki Clarke leaves Derbyshire after just one season, during which he has struggled for form

Supporters hoped his arrival would herald a bright new era for Derbyshire but Clarke came nowhere near to reproducing the form which saw him play two Tests and 20 one-day internationals for England.

He has now been signed by Warwickshire, with Ashley Giles a confirmed admirer after touring with Clarke in Bangladesh and coming from the same background at Guildford cricket club.

Clarke, 26, resigned as skipper last month citing a chronic lack of form and Derbyshire have confirmed the player will be leaving after less than a year.

Head of cricket John Morris said: “Things have not worked out and we wish Rikki all the best in his future career.”

Clarke has scored just 317 LV County Championship runs at an average of fewer than 20, and taken just 11 wickets at 47 apiece this season.