Chesterfield take strong early steps to boost cricket squad
Chesterfield have made three significant moves to strengthen their prospects for the 2026 cricket season.
Hassnain Akhtar and Matty Stewart, two of the most exciting young players in Derbyshire, have joined the Queen's Park club and the vastly experienced Kevin Leatherday has been appointed head of cricket.
Akhtar is a top-order left-handed bat and spin bowler and Stewart is a right-arm pace bowler.
Both were members of the Derbyshire under-18 side who beat their Yorkshire counterparts in a three-day Championship game at Queen's Park in August.
Stewart was one of the leading bowlers for Derbyshire Seconds last season, taking 12 wickets in five Championship games at an average of 22.66.
The 19-year-old, who is spending part of the winter at the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide, said: "I know the Club is developing on and off the field and I can't wait to be part of the journey."
Akhtar, like Stewart, was a member of this year's Derbyshire Academy squad.
He was in prolific form in the Championship, scoring 407 runs in five matches at an average of 50.87. His two centuries included a massive 191 against Nottinghamshire.
He said: "The thought of playing at Queen's Park as my home ground is so exciting and a great opportunity. The history of Chesterfield Cricket Club, the players who have played for the Club in the past, it all shows how big the Club is."
Leatherday has joined the Queen's Park set-up for a third time, having had two spells as a player including as a member of the side who won promotion to the Premier Division of the Derbyshire County League in 2024.
A prolific run scorer for more than 30 years, he brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
He said: "I'm passionate about helping players develop and creating an environment where everyone - from juniors to seniors, men and women - can thrive, enjoy their cricket and be proud to represent Chesterfield."
Club chairman Nigel Mallender is delighted by the arrival of the new players and he said of Leatherday's appointment: "Kev will be a great addition to our management team and an excellent source of support for our captains, coaches and players."
He added: "Kev and I are united in our ambition to make Chesterfield one of the strongest clubs in the county and we look forward to building on the excellent foundations that have been laid in recent years with an exciting group of young players."
Chesterfield open their Derbyshire League campaign away to Alrewas on April 18.