Derbyshire CCC’s Academy intake for 2011/12 has been named including four cricketers who have already gained international recognition.
Peter Burgoyne is the most familiar of the names having played for England Under 19s and made his First XI debut during 2011.
Burgoyne’s fellow England Under 19s international Tom Knight has graduated to a professional contract following a string of impressive performances in both first team and second team cricket.
Derbyshire’s Academy team won the Derbyshire Premier Cup recently and the successful structure currently sees six graduates with full time professional contracts; Paul Borrington, Dan Redfern, Tom Poynton, Ross Whiteley, Jake Needham and Tom Knight.
Borrington, Redfern, Poynton, Whiteley and Knight have all signed long-term contracts in recent months and several additional products of the Academy are currently on summer contracts with the Club.
The current England Women’s international duo of Danielle Wyatt and Georgia Elwiss also spent time on the Derbyshire County Cricket Club Academy.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Harvey Hosein and seam bowler Will Davis, meanwhile, have been selected for the ECB’s prestigious England Development Programme at under 16’s.
The 11 selected players will now spend the winter working on their skills and taking lifestyle advice before embarking on a summer of cricket in 2012 under the Derbyshire County Cricket Club Academy banner.
Head of Development Howard Dytham said: “It’s great the be able to announce this year’s Academy Programme intake and see one or two new faces alongside a majority of returning players.
“The fact that nine of the 11 players were involved last year shows the good work that goes on at the Academy and is testament to the hard work of the players.
“Much of the credit for the success of the Academy previously goes to Karl Krikken and all the other staff who commit so much time and effort to it.
“I know Harvey and Mykylo will both become better players for the opportunity – they show the right kind of attitude to ensure they make the most of this experience.”
Derbyshire County Cricket Club Academy 2011/12:
Harvey Hosein
Years on Academy: First year
Club: Matlock Cricket Club
Role: Wicketkeeper/Batsman
Experience: Selected for the ECB’s England Development Programme for under 16’s and played Second XI County Cricket in 2010 at the age of 13.
Route to Academy: Derbyshire Cricket Board Mini Academy
Mykylo Bird
Years on Academy: First Year
Club: Ockbrook & Borrowash Cricket Club
Role: Batsman/Wicketkeeper
Experience: Midlands Under 15’s in 2011.
Route to Academy: Derbyshire Cricket Board Mini Academy
Peter Burgoyne
Years on Academy: Third Year
Club: Denby Cricket Club
Role: Off-spinning all-rounder
Experience: Played six Under 19’s One Day Internationals for England v South Africa in 2011 including best bowling figures of 4 for 8. Burgoyne also played two Clydesdale Bank 40 matches for Derbyshire in 2011 including debut figures of 2 for 36 against Middlesex Panthers.
Route to Academy: Derbyshire Cricket Board Mini Academy
Matthew Fletcher
Years on Academy: Third Year
Club: Chesterfield Cricket Club
Role: Batting all-rounder (right-arm seam)
Experience: Second XI County Cricket in 2011, England Under 15’s in 2009.
Route to Academy: Derbyshire Cricket Board Mini Academy
Ben Cotton
Years on Academy: Second Year
Club: Porthill Park Cricket Club (Staffordshire)
Role: Right-arm seamer
Experience: Second XI County Cricket in 2011
Route to Academy: Staffordshire Emerging Players Programme
Tom Taylor
Years on Academy: Second Year
Club: Barlaston Cricket Club (Staffordshire)
Role: Bowling all-rounder (right-arm seam)
Experience: Second XI County Cricket in 2011
Route to Academy: Staffordshire Emerging Players Programme
Greg Massingham
Years on Academy: Third Year
Club: Kidsgrove Cricket Club (Staffordshire)
Role: Leg-spinning all-rounder
Experience: Second XI County Cricket in 2011
Route to Academy: Staffordshire Emerging Players Programme
Greg Cork
Years on Academy: Second Year
Club: Denby Cricket Club
Role: Left-arm seam bowling all-rounder
Route to Academy: Derbyshire Cricket Board Mini Academy
Harry White
Years on Academy: Second Year
Club: Played for Swarkestone Cricket Club and Quarndon Cricket Club in 2011.
Role: Left-arm seamer
Route to Academy: Derbyshire Cricket Board Mini Academy
Will Davis
Years on Academy: Third Year
Club: Milford Hall Cricket Club
Role: Right-arm seamer
Experience: Selected for the ECB’s England Development Programme for under 16’s having previously represented The Midlands Under 15’s.
Route to Academy: Staffordshire Cricket
Matt Hughes
Years on Academy: Second Year
Club: Bramhall Cricket Club (Cheshire)
Role: Top order batsman
Route to Academy: Cheshire Emerging Players Programme