Du Plooy to leave Derbyshire

Derbyshire can confirm that Leus du Plooy will join Middlesex at the end of the 2023 season, having turned down offers of a new contract.

Since joining the Club in 2019, du Plooy has scored more than 5,000 runs, including nine centuries and 28 half-centuries.

The 28-year-old was appointed Club Captain prior to the start of the 2023 campaign and led the side to six wins in the Vitality Blast, narrowly missing out on a place in the quarter finals.

Having rejected a new contract with Derbyshire, citing the desire to move to the London-based county, du Plooy will leave the Club at the end of this season.

Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, said: “Leus has been a key member of our squad in recent seasons and as a Club, we did all we could to try and keep hold of him.

“He has decided that he wants to move, however I have no doubt that, while he is still with us, he will remain committed on and off-the-field to helping Derbyshire win matches.”

Du Plooy added: “This was not an easy decision; I’m truly grateful for the opportunity Derbyshire granted me to play county cricket back in 2019.

“It is a Club which will always make up a special part of my cricketing journey. I’ve been fortunate to form amazing friendships and stepping up against those bigger counties will always be something I’ll cherish going forward.

“Although it makes me sad to leave after five seasons, I believe the time is right for me to move onto a new challenge with Middlesex.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the honour of captaining the side this year under Mickey, a coach I’ve looked up to growing up and learned so much from the last two years.

“We’ve not reached our potential as a squad this season so far, but nothing would make me happier than finishing strongly for Derbyshire and our supporters.”