Burgoyne and Hughes lead fresh deals

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Peter Burgoyne and Alex Hughes are among six of Derbyshire's brightest prospects to have signed new contracts.

England Under-19 all-rounder Burgoyne has penned a new three-year deal and fellow all-round prospect Alex Hughes will transfer from a summer contract to a three-year full-time professional one from October next year following the completion of his studies.

Burgoyne, 18, who has played in eight List A and four Twenty20 games, hit a maiden unbeaten century for the second XI versus MCC Universities in August.

Off-spinning all-rounder Peter Burgoyne, an England Under-19 international, has signed a new three-year deal with Derbyshire

Hughes, 21, who has seven List A and four T20 matches to his name, made a vital unbeaten 37 to guide the Falcons to Clydesdale Bank 40 victory over Yorkshire at Queen's Park, Chesterfield, in July.

There is a new one-year deal for fast-bowler Alasdair Evans, 23, who has first-class and limited-overs experience for Scotland and has been a consistent performer for Derbyshire in second XI cricket during the last two seasons.

The club has also moved to secure the services of Ben Slater and Matt Higginbottom on enhanced summer contracts.

Opening batsman Slater, 21, and fast bowler Higginbottom, 22, have cemented integral roles in the second XI during recent seasons.

Fast bowler Johny Marsden, 19, has earned a summer contract for the first time following an encouraging season for the second XI, while batsman Hamza Siddique, 21, has been released.

Head Coach Karl Krikken, whose side won LV= County Championship Division Two last month, said: “Developing home-grown players at Derbyshire is a fundamental aspect of the future cricket strategy adopted in July 2011.

“To secure the services of the club's young talent whilst giving them the environment and encouragement to achieve their potential is pivotal to what we are looking to achieve here.

“Derbyshire is a great place to be for young, hungry cricketers and each of these players should look at the contribution the likes of academy graduates Dan Redfern, Tom Poynton, Ross Whiteley and Paul Borrington have made to our success this season and look to emulate it.”

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