New arrivals add strength and depth to Chesterfield cricket squad

Ben Martindale has become the fifth player to join the Queen's Park squad for 2026 and he could be one of the most significant.

In addition Sri Lankan all-rounder Kemira Wijenayake, who has had a massive impact over the last two seasons, is returning for a third year as Chesterfield's overseas player.

The 23-year-old Martindale is a left-handed opening bat who is contracted to Nottinghamshire.

Martindale, who also bowls seam, has come through the Trent Bridge Academy and made his first-team debut in the Metro Bank Cup in 2022.

The following year he shared an opening stand of 107 with Chesterfield stalwart Ben Slater against Essex.

So far he has played 12 one-day and seven T20 games for Notts.

Chesterfield chairman Nigel Mallender said: "We are super excited to welcome a player of Ben's calibre to Chesterfield Cricket Club.

"Ben is a very talented hard-working cricketer with a terrific personality and comes highly recommended by Ben Slater.

"He will play for Chesterfield whenever his county commitments permit."

Martindale said: "Chesterfield have made huge strides in recent years with clear success and development so it's an exciting time to be coming in.

"Queen's Park is a brilliant place to call home, a first-class venue, and I'm really looking forward to playing here for both club and county."

The return of Wijenayake, a dazzling stroke-player and penetrative off-spinner, is another major boost.

He said: "I'm so excited to extend my journey at Chesterfield for another season.

"It is a fantastic Club, a family Club, making great progress on and off the field.

"I have been made to feel so welcome and at home since first arriving and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far. I cannot wait to contribute towards the Club’s further success in 2026."

Mallender said: "Kemira was keen to return so it was a complete no-brainer for us to make it happen.

"He is a hugely talented cricketer who has been a fundamental part of Chesterfield Cricket Club's success over the last two seasons.

"Kemira is also a superb young man, someone who puts his heart and soul into every aspect of the Club, not least in the coaching of our many promising juniors."

Earlier in the winter Chesterfield announced the arrival of pace bowler Matty Stewart, who did well for Derbyshire Seconds last year, and all-rounder Hassnain Akhtar who, like Stewart, has been on the Derbyshire Academy.

They have been joined by pace bowler Adam Cahill and middle-order batter James Linacre.

It promises to be a bumper year of cricket at Queen's Park because, in addition to Derbyshire's annual visit for the BRM Festival of Cricket from June 19 to 28, Nottinghamshire are also playing a home game at the ground for the first time on August 7.

Chesterfield open their League campaign at Alrewas on Saturday, April 18 and six days earlier they travel to Lincolnshire to face Sleaford in the National Club Championship.