Derbyshire add paceman Michael Cohen on two-year deal

The left-armer, who has 50 first-class wickets and has represented South Africa at under-19 level, will qualify for the county via EU citizenship

Derbyshire have announced their first signing of the off-season, welcoming 21-year-old fast bowler Michael Cohen on a two-year deal.

Having previously represented his native South Africa at under-19 level in seven one-day internationals in 2017, the county said left-armer Cohen will not qualify as their overseas player as he is eligible for EU citizenship.

Cohen joins the county after taking 50 wickets at 26.12 across his 15 first-class appearances for Western Province and Cape Cobras, including a hat-trick of Gauteng batsmen at the Wanderers in February.

"It's really pleasing to have joined Derbyshire. I'm eager to test myself in England and continue my development," said Cohen.

"We have a really good group of bowlers, and I will be looking to use their experience and adapt to conditions quickly.

"The club had a good season last year, so I know there will be competition for places, but I will work hard for my chances and hopefully show what I'm all about."

Cohen joins Luis Reece, Anuj Dal and Dustin Melton in committing his future to the club, which qualified for its first T20 Blast Finals Day this summer.

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Derbyshire head of cricket Dave Houghton hopes that Cohen will follow in the footsteps of Leus du Plooy, who joined the county last season on a Kolpak contract before then extending his stay until the end of 2022 after tallying 1,326 runs across the season.

"Michael is a really promising bowler and we were keen to get him on board for all forms," said Houghton.

"He has a good record in South Africa, and as Leus du Plooy proved last year, players will be given the opportunity to fight for a place in the team and take their chance."

Though Western Province coach Paul Adams had been keen to retain Cohen's services, the bowler revealed in a recent interview that he turned down an offer of a contract extension.

Before picking up a back injury, Cohen had previously figured in 2nd XI fixtures for Nottinghamshire in April, and said he was keen to expand his horizons and hone his bowling in a different environment.

"The recent signings by the Cobras almost represented a block for my progression," Cohen told local website Club Cricket SA in July.

"I feel, being young, at 20 years old, I have a bit more time than players like, say, Nandre Burger, who is two or three years older than me, to really take a step back and look at my own game and develop over the next year.

"For my own development, right now, I need to find an environment in which I can develop. You need to be with supportive coaches in that environment in order to speed up the process."