Krikken eyes new recruit

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Coach Karl Krikken has confirmed Derbyshire are on the lookout for an overseas batsman, but conceded Usman Khawaja and Martin Guptill are unlikely to return next season.

An outstanding campaign this summer earned Krikken’s side a place in Division One of the LV= County Championship as they pipped Yorkshire to the title in the second tier.

Martin Guptill is unlikely to be back at Derbyshire next season, but coach Karl Krikken has told ecb.co.uk he wants another overseas batsman

A big part of that success was the outstanding efforts of their foreign recruits, with Guptill shining at the start of the season and Khawaja producing some vital innings towards the end.

That was no more evident than in the final encounter, when 72 not out took Derbyshire to a victory that sealed their triumph.

When quizzed by ecb.co.uk about whether one or both would be returning, Krikken admitted: “Usman has just been picked in the Australia squad and we think he will be in the Ashes set-up.

“Guptill could have been available for the second half of the season, but I think he is resting. He has played a lot of cricket lately so I think he will have a bit of a break.

“We spoke with him and I think he is looking for a rest. Whether that changes, we will see, but I think at the present time he is looking for that break.”

Krikken revealed, however, that Derbyshire remain in the market for someone and is hoping something can be tied up sooner rather than later.

“We are looking for an overseas batter,” he added. “That is under way; we have no names to announce yet but are hoping to have something sorted pretty soon in the new year, if not before.”

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