Clarke quits as captain

Rikki Clarke has seen his own form suffer since he became Derbyshire captain

Rikki Clarke has stepped down as captain of Derbyshire after less than a season in charge.

The 26-year-old all-rounder joined Derbyshire at the start of the summer from Surrey, but has struggled for form since making the move and was dropped from the team in recent weeks.

The decision to relinquish the captaincy was made following discussions between Clarke and head of cricket John Morris following the recent LV County Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road.

Morris said: “The decision has been made after several discussions between Rikki and myself. He felt as though the role was impacting on his own personal performance and that was affecting the team."

Clarke, who played two Tests and 20 one-day internationals for England, has scored just 296 championship runs at an average of 21 and taken 11 wickets at 38 apiece this season.

“It is a brave decision by Rikki and he deserves respect for putting the team and the club ahead of his own personal ambitions as a captain," added Morris.

“He hasn’t played as well as he would have liked since joining us, he moved from the county he has spent his whole career during the winter and he and his partner Harriet have had their first child this summer.

“That is an awful lot to be going on for any player and Rikki felt it was best for everyone concerned if he gave up the captaincy.”

Australian Chris Rogers, Derbyshire’s overseas player, will take over the captaincy until the end of the season.