In a new weekly feature, The Cricket Paper will update county cricket fans with the latest news and updates ahead of the new season.
The ECB have confirmed that county fixtures won’t be released until January.
Derbyshire announce Mickey Arthur as new Head Coach
Derbyshire have announced international renowned coach Mickey Arthur as the club’s Head of Cricket. Arthur replaces Dave Houghton, who left the role following the 2021 season.
Arthur leaves his coaching role at Sri Lanka following the two match Test series currently being played against the West Indies. Arthur has further held coaching roles with Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Mickey Arthur said: “This is the start of an exciting project at Derbyshire, with many young players, and I’m really excited to be a part of that and to bring my vision to the Club. It’s a new challenge and one which I’m eager to get stuck into and lead this Club to success.
“There’s a good squad at Derbyshire and I want us to play a positive style of cricket, we won’t fear any team and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve for our supporters.”
Derbyshire finished second bottom of Division C in last season’s County Championship. They entered Division C finishing 40 points adrift of Worcestershire in Group 1 of the initial stage of the Championship.
It was a similar second bottom finish for the Falcons in the North Group of the Vitality Blast. The Royal London One Day Cup was an even worse finish for Derbyshire as they finished rock bottom of Group 2.
Derbyshire have been hit with the loss of the influential Matt Critchley, who has seeked pastures new at Essex. Fynn Hudson Prentice departed at the end of summer to return home to Sussex. Furthermore, the retirement of promising wicketkeeper Harvey Hosein due to consistent concussions has been a further blow.
Kent bowler Fred Klaassen signs new three-year contract
Fred Klaassen has agreed a three-year contract extension with the club, running til the end of the 2024 season.
Klaassen has taken 63 wickets in all formats for Kent and played eight one-dayers and 24 T20 internationals for the Netherlands.
Klaassen took 19 wickets to help Kent Spitfires win this summer’s T20 Blast, including a career-best 4-17 in their semi-final victory over Sussex.
“This squad can push on and become a real force across all formats,” the left-armer told the club website.
Matt Henry returns to Kent
New Zealand seam bowler Matt Henry is returning to the Spitfire Ground next season for the 2022 Royal London One Day Cup and up to seven County Championship matches.
Brett D’Oliveira announced as Worcestershire Club Captain
Worcester’s very own Brett D’Oliveira has been appointed as Worcestershire’s new Club Captain at New Road.
Joe Leach stood down from the role at the end of the 2021 season after five years as captain.
The vastly experienced D’Oliveira has described it as his “boyhood dream” after spending most of his youthful summers at New Road.
The batting allrounder will be looking to change the fortunes at New Road, who failed to qualify for the latter stages of the County Championship, the Vitality Blast and the Royal London One Day Cup.
Tom Abell signs contract extension
Somerset skipper Tom Abell has signed a two-year contract extension.
Widely regarded as one the best uncapped batsman across all three formats on the county circuit, Tom was Somerset’s leading run scorer in the County Championship and further averaged 59:00 in the Vitality Blast – where injury restricted him to just six games.
Abell is with the England Lions in Australia and will soon join up with the Brisbane Heat for this year’s Big Bash League.
On the extension, the Tauntonian said: “Somerset is a very special place for me, and it makes me extremely proud to have signed this extension. To have the opportunity to commit my future to the Club is an incredible feeling.
“Being at Somerset means the world to me. As a young boy all I ever wanted was to play for Somerset and there’s nowhere else I want to play my cricket. I love everything about the Club, and I’m determined to keep the team moving forward and to play my part in that.
“We’ve had some amazing moments over the last few years, and I have a huge amount of belief in everything that’s happening at the Club. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this group and signing this extension means a lot to both me and my family.”
Gloucestershire announce overseas signings
In September, Gloucestershire announced the signing of Australia opening batsman Marcus Harris on a two year deal. Justin Langer seems keen to send his non-franchise playing cricketers to play in the English summer.
The Gloucester’s have further re-signed Pakistan spin bowler Zafar Gohar for the 2022 season. The Pakistan spinner played in the final few games of the 2021 season and impressed enough to earn a season long contract.
Speaking to Gloucestershire CCC website, Gohar said:
“Playing County Cricket this year and making my debut for Gloucestershire was the realisation of an ambition I’ve had for some time. Getting the opportunity to pull on a Gloucestershire shirt and contribute to a winning team was a great start to my career in England and I’m very pleased to be returning for a longer stint next year.
“We have a team capable of challenging anyone and some great momentum from 2021 to build on. I can’t wait to get back and hopefully pick up where I left off.”
Gloucestershire will play in Division One in the upcoming season.
Steven Ezkanazi signs three-year contract
The top-order batsman signed a one-year contract extension earlier this summer, although has now committed his long-term future to Middlesex, in a new deal that will see him remain at Lord’s until at least the end of 2024.
Middlesex had a torrid time of it in 2021. Pipped as a favourite to do well in the County Championship, they finished bottom of Group 2 of the first phase of the competition. They did recover to finish second in Group C of the tournament. Ezkanazi was the standout player for Middlesex throughout the season.
Sir Alistair Cook signs a contract extension
Sir Alistair Cook has signed a two year extension at Essex and will remain at the club until the end of the 2023 season.
One of the greatest batsman and openers to have ever graced the game has had a huge impact on Essex since his retirement from international cricket in 2018 – winning the County Championship in 2019 and the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020.
Cook said: “I have really enjoyed my cricket here at Essex since my International retirement.
“We are lucky to have a fantastic dressing room and great coaching staff, led brilliantly by Anthony McGrath, and I’m looking forward to what is hopefully another successful couple of years.”
