New Zealand international Hamish Rutherford will return to Derbyshire next summer as overseas batsman in all formats.
The opening batsman has featured for the county in 14 fixtures across all formats this season scoring 677 runs at an average of over 40. Rutherford will be available for the entire 2016 season, subject to any commitments with New Zealand and all necessary approvals.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my spell with Derbyshire this summer and I’m delighted to get the opportunity to return in 2016,” Rutherford said. “The guys in the dressing room have been fantastic. It’s a young squad but there is a lot of talent here and I look forward to returning as we strive for success across all forms next summer.”
Rutherford has appeared in four first-class fixtures for Derbyshire hitting 287 runs at an average of 41, with a top score of 108 versus Glamorgan at Chesterfield in July. The 26-year-old has also impressed in the limited overs formats for the county, scoring 181 runs in three List A games at an average of 60.33 and a high score of 110, plus 209 runs in seven Twenty20 matches at a strike rate of 145.
He will, however, miss his final two games with the county this summer versus Northamptonshire today and Surrey on Sunday due to injury.
His overseas replacement, Sri Lanka batting all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan, is scheduled to arrive back in UK and be available for the home Royal London One-Day Cup fixture versus Leicestershire on Tuesday.
Elite Performance Director, Graeme Welch added: “We’re delighted to secure Hamish for the entire 2016 campaign. “He’s been outstanding at the top of the order since joining us in June and been a great influence on the younger guys in the dressing room.
“To have Hamish on board for the whole summer provides us with stability at the top of the order as we start to plan our strategy for success across all formats in 2016.”
James Buttler
As the editor of Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author and a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications.
He's unsurprisingly a complete cricket badger!
Latest posts by James Buttler (see all)
- Angelo Matthews tipped by Farbrace to lead Sri Lanka into bright post Sanga era - August 15, 2015
- Sangakkara has been Sri Lanka’s greatest ever player - Paul Farbrace - August 14, 2015
- Steven Smith announced as Australia’s next Test captain - August 14, 2015
