End of season contract update

Alex Hughes and Tom Wood have signed new two-year deals with Derbyshire, while all-rounder Mattie McKiernan has penned a one-year contract extension.

Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby graduate, Hughes, made his debut for the Club in 2011 and has gone on to play more than 230 times across all formats, scoring six first-class centuries and 13 half-centuries.

Fellow Academy graduate, Wood, scored Derbyshire’s fastest-ever List A century against Nottinghamshire at The Incora County Ground in August, earning recognition as the Club’s Royal London Cup Player of the Year this summer.

Second XI Player of the Year, McKiernan, scored three half-centuries and claimed 11 wickets at an average of 16 in Second XI T20 cricket this summer, as well as recording best figures of 3-9 in the Vitality Blast.

Left-handed batter, Nils Priestley, has not been offered a new contract and will leave Derbyshire after two years on the staff.

Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said: “These contract discussions have been ongoing for several weeks and we are delighted we have been able to retain all three players for next season.

“It was clear that Alex’s injury during the Vitality Blast was a big loss, while both Tom and Mattie have shown what they can do this summer, particularly in white ball cricket.

“All other discussions regarding recruitment and retention will now be put on hold while the appointment of a Head of Cricket takes place. We aim to complete this process before the end of October, giving the new coach the budget and time to begin shaping the squad further ahead of the 2022 season.

“On behalf of the Club, I would like to thank Nils for his efforts over the past two seasons and wish him the very best for the future.”