Trio can make step up

New contracts for Derbys players a reward, says Loye

ASSISTANT coach Mal Loye believes Tom Wood, Mattie McKiernan and Nils Priestley can go on to play bigger roles for Derbyshire County Cricket Club next season after the three signed new contracts.

Wood and McKiernan have agreed oneyear deals, while Priestley has signed a rookie contract for the 2021 season.

“It’s a great opportunity for players in these uncertain times and it’s a credit to all three for persevering and earning another contract,” said Loye.

“You look at Tom Wood, it’s a bit of a fairytale story. He got released by the club a few years ago, went out to Australia a couple of times to work on his fitness and skills. He fits in with the group and he did really well with his opportunities this year.

“Nils is a developing left-arm spinner and a powerful middle-order batsman, and to go throughout a whole year with only playing club cricket, no second 11, and keep developing is a credit to him.

“We signed Mattie initially as white-ball player but as a coaching group we also recognise him as a developing four-day player.

“That’s something we really worked with him on last winter and he bought into that massively. He’s a player we have high hopes for in all formats of the game.”

Wood has had to stay exceptionally patient in the hope of making a career in first-class cricket and the 26-year-old batsman was limited to one Bob Willis Trophy and one Vitality Blast appearance last season, scoring 67 against Yorkshire in the Blast.

Leg-spinner McKiernan had more opportunities and also proving his usefulness with the bat. He played eight times in the Blast and twice in the BWT, where the 26-year-old took 2-3 in the win over Nottinghamshire and scored a maiden firstclass half-century against Lancashire.

Academy graduate Priestley (20) has yet to make a first-team appearance but was named in a number of squads last season.

“We have a small squad, so having three promising players staying with us is a big positive,” said head of cricket Dave Houghton. “Tom Wood and Mattie McKiernan fitted in really well with the way we like to play and they took their chances in both formats, while Nils has shown a lot of promise while working with us in training and travelling with the squad.

“They can all play in multiple formats and that will be key for us moving forward as we look to rotate the line-up and develop our younger players.”