Zak Chappell signs two-year contract with Derbyshire

The pace bowler has been used sparingly by Nottinghamshire since joining from Leicestershire ahead of the 2019 season and has been sent out on loan several times in 2022

Zak Chappell will represent Derbyshire from 2023, bringing to an end his four-season association with Nottinghamshire.

As reported by The Cricketer on August 2, the 25-year-old has put pen to paper on two-year contract with Mickey Arthur's side.

Chappell, a pace bowler, joined Nottinghamshire from Leicestershire ahead of the 2019 season but has found regular first-team cricket hard to come by. He has made just 18 appearances in all formats, picking up 28 wickets. This season alone, he has been sent on loan to Gloucestershire on three separate occasions.

He will continue to be available for selection for Nottinghamshire for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Commenting on joining Derbyshire, Chappell said: "When I heard of Derbyshire's interest, I jumped at the chance to come and work with a top-class coaching unit in Mickey Arthur and Ajmal Shahzad.

^{The opportunity to work with Mickey Arthur attracted Chappell to Derbyshire [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

"This season I've played a good amount across all formats and I feel I'm at a point now where I need to be playing top-level cricket week in, week out and signing for Derbyshire gives me the chance to do that. Derbyshire have an ambitious project with plenty of quality in the squad. You can see the direction Mickey wants to take the club and that really attracted me."

Arthur believes Chappell will strengthen Derbyshire's seam unit, stating: "Zak is an incredibly skilled bowler and a great addition to our attack for all formats.

"He probably hasn't played the amount of cricket he's wanted to in recent years, but he’s kept developing and worked hard on his game, now he has the chance to show what he can do as part of our bowling unit.

"Signing Zak is a big move for the club, as it gives us even more competition and quality within our ranks for the 2023 season and beyond."

Nottinghamshire head coach, Peter Moores, added: "Our bowling attack has certainly been competitive to break into for this past couple of years and that, combined with picking up some injuries at key times, has limited Zak's opportunities to play first team cricket.  

"He wants to be playing regularly across all formats. Hopefully this move gives him an opportunity to do that, and it keeps him close to his roots in the East Midlands, so we completely understand and respect his decision.

"His attitude around the group has been positive throughout his time at Trent Bridge. He trains hard, has gone about his periods of injury rehab professionally and has handled his decision to leave in a respectful and positive way.

"There's lots to play for and plenty we can still achieve during the remainder of the season – and I know Zak will be giving it everything."

Related Topics

• Zak Chappell to swap Nottinghamshire for Derbyshire as Mickey Arthur's impact continues