Derbyshire sign seamer Ben Aitchison on rookie contract

The county acted quickly to sign the 21-year-old after the right-arm seamer impressed during a spell of grade cricket throughout the winter

Ben Aitchison has joined Derbyshire on a rookie contract for the 2020 season.

The county acted quickly to sign the 21-year-old after the right-arm seamer impressed during a spell of grade cricket throughout the winter.

Aitchison, Southport-based and playing his club cricket for Formby, has also represented Cheshire at national counties level. His breakthrough, though, came while playing for Parramatta District Cricket Club in New South Wales, where he took 26 wickets in 11 games.

The previous winter, he took 47 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 12.23 for Macquarie University Cricket Club in Sydney.

He spoke to The Cricketer during the height of lockdown about the frustration of his hopes for a big push for a professional deal being seemingly dashed by the coronavirus outbreak.

“I had the big aim just of getting a contract by the end of the summer,” he said at the time. “I got a lot of interest from my first-grade stuff, so it’s obviously frustrating coming back to no cricket.”

He was watched by several counties – Sussex among them – during his time in Australia, while Lancashire – where he spent some time in the club’s academy – were keen to revisit his progress.

It is Derbyshire, however, who have pounced first. Aitchison joined the county for pre-season at Repton School in July and will be available for selection in all formats in 2020.

Head of cricket Dave Houghton said: “Ben is someone we were keen to take a look at, and he’s impressed us with his work ethic and quality in training.

“We’ve seen great progression from our young bowlers working with Steve Kirby, and Ben has integrated into that group really well.

“He’s another promising young talent and at just 21, it’s important we bring him in now and give him the opportunities to show us what he can do.”

Aitchison added: “I’m really pleased with the opportunity to join Derbyshire and be a part of a really exciting team.

“The coaches have been brilliant with me so far, and I feel really confident that working with them will help me keep getting better as a bowler.

“We have a lot of players looking to nail down a first team spot, and with the hectic schedule coming, I want to take any chances I’m given.”

26-year-old batsman Tom Wood, A graduate of the Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with The University of Derby, has also joined the club and will be available for all cricket in 2020.