Aitchison recognised as ‘breakout star’ by Wisden

Derbyshire fast bowler Ben Aitchison has been recognised as a breakout star of the 2021 LV= County Championship campaign, as the young quick topped the Club’s wicket-taking charts in first-class cricket. 

Aitchison enjoyed a fantastic first full campaign with Derbyshire, after impressing in 2020’s Bob Willis Trophy before being sidelined with an ankle injury. However, the 22-year-old quickly made up for lost time, claiming 34 County Championship wickets at an average of just 23.29 in 2021.

Along with fellow youngsters Sam Conners and Mikey Cohen, Aitchison picked up his maiden first-class five-wicket haul this season, when he took 6-28 against Durham at The Incora County Ground.

When assessing Aitchison’s season, Wisden wrote: “Before this season, Ben Aitchison, a 22-year-old Derbyshire right-armer, had just six wickets to his name in red-ball cricket. This year, he claimed 34 wickets at 23, including 6-28 to bowl out Durham for 208.”

Aitchison follows Matt Critchley in earning recognition for a fine individual season, with the all-rounder named in Wisden’s LV= County Championship Team of the Year.