'Several options available' to Derbyshire as they begin hunt for injured Santner's replacement

The New Zealand allrounder had been due to join the club for the T20 Blast and backend of the County Championship season but he requires surgery and is set for an extended stay on the sidelines

Derbyshire say they are reviewing their options after overseas signing Mitchell Santner was ruled out of action for nine months with a knee injury.

The New Zealand allrounder had been due to join the club for the T20 Blast and backend of the County Championship season but he requires surgery and is set for an extended stay on the sidelines.

Derbyshire have time to find a replacement, given Santner was not earmarked to arrive until the middle of the season, and cricket advisor Kim Barnett will work together with T20 coach John Wright and captain Billy Godleman to pinpoint a new recruit.

Barnett said: "It’s desperately disappointing for Mitch, who I know was looking forward to his stint in England with Derbyshire this summer. But he must put his long-term future first.

"We are already reviewing our options for potential overseas replacements, working with John [Wright] and Billy [Godleman]. There are several options available to us.

"We have already secured our overseas for the first half of 2018 in South Africa international Duanne Olivier, who will provide an added quality seam option for the first seven four-day games and the entire Royal London One-Day Cup."