England
selection for Derbyshire duo
Tom Knight and Peter Burgoyne have been selected by England
Under 19’s for the One Day International Series against South Africa. The
Derbyshire duo is in line to take part in a seven match series against the
tourists which begins at Edgbaston on Saturday 16th July.
Knight
(pictured left)
is a 17-year-old left-arm spinner who has performed impressively during
Derbyshire’s current Friends Life t20 campaign taking five wickets in five
matches whilst maintaining an outstanding economy rate of less than seven
runs an over. A debut appearance against Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent
Bridge brought the wicket of Australian international Adam Voges and Knight
starred with figures of 3 for 16 in the recent televised match against
Worcestershire Royals. Knight plays his club cricket for Swarkestone Cricket
Club and he has recently penned a three year professional contract with
Derbyshire.
Burgoyne (pictured right), of Denby Cricket Club, is also aged 17 and has made
a successful breakthrough into Second XI cricket in 2011 consistently
contributing with both bat and ball. The off-spinning all-rounder enjoyed
his finest hour against Yorkshire Second XI recently when he scored 77 at
better than a run a ball as well as taking four wickets in the match.
Derbyshire Chairman Chris Grant said: “This is exciting news
for the Club and in particular for the lads concerned. They will represent
Derbyshire wearing their England colours with pride. This is another timely
boost in the aftermath of announcing our policy to back our home grown
cricketers and to give them support and pathways to succeed and these two
players certainly fall into that category. This selection proves how highly
rated they are as cricketers, not only within our Club but also further
afield.”
Head Coach Karl Krikken said, “Tom and Peter are both
talented players who worked very hard with the Academy during the winter and
it’s great to see that come to fruition. It is always great for the Club
when our players get recognised at international level, especially when it
is in the pinnacle of age-group international competition in the Under 19’s.
The very best of luck to both of them – and to the whole of the England
Under 19’s - for their series against South Africa.”
Derbyshire Cricket Board Ltd Executive
Manager and Academy Head Coach, Howard Dytham added, “This is great news for Tom and Pete. They
are both products of Derbyshire’s player pathway structure and have moved
through age group cricket with DCB, into the Academy and then into key roles
with Derbyshire County Cricket Club at 1st and 2nd
team level. They have worked hard to achieve what they have and I know they
will do themselves proud when they start their England U19 programme in a
couple of weeks time. Good luck to both of them.”
Photo of Tom Knight by David Griffin,
photo of Peter Burgoyne by Simon Mounsey