Sheffield born cricketer who played for Derbyshire CC joins front-line police force during coronavirus lockdown

Tom Knight, who played both first-class and Twenty20 cricket for Derbyshire before joining the force, has completed his police training early to join the front-line during the coronavirus lockdown.

The spin bowler, 26, played for Derbyshire between 2011 and 2016 before leaving to play cricket in Australia and then returning to play in Yorkshire.

Tom said: “As soon as I left Derbyshire Cricket Club I applied to become a police officer but it has taken me a while to get accepted.

“I wanted to become a police officer because I liked the thought of been able to do something different each day and going to work not knowing what you are going to deal with.

“I always enjoyed the adrenaline and working under pressure that came with cricket and I believe this is something that I will use on a regular basis in the police.

“I am happy that I have started the job that I have wanted to do since leaving the cricket club.

“With the COVID situation I have been told that policing is slightly different at this time. It’s a surreal situation but one that we are all doing our best to deal with.

“On a personal level, working on the front line and coming into contact with people on a regular basis is a risk to our health but we are taking all the protective measures possible to keep safe.”