Derbyshire legend John Wright named as club president

Former New Zealand batsman Wright scored more than 14,000 runs for the county, before returning as a specialist T20 coach in 2017

Former Derbyshire batsman John Wright has been appointed as the club’s new president, replacing Harold Rhodes in the role.

The 65-year-old is widely regarded as one of the county’s finest ever players, having scored almost 15,000 runs in an 11-year spell. In 82 Tests for New Zealand, he also scored 5,334 runs, including 12 centuries.

Since retiring, he has become a respected coach at both domestic and international level and he led Derbyshire to a T20 quarter-final in 2017 when he was the club’s specialist head coach for the T20 Blast.

Derbyshire chairman Ian Morgan said: “John is one of the greatest batsmen to ever play for Derbyshire, scoring more than 14,000 runs for the club.

“Even when his playing days ended, John kept a close relationship with the club and enjoyed success in his return as a coach. His contribution and commitment to the club over many years has been immense and I am delighted that he has accepted the role of club president in this our 150th year.”

Wright added: “I hold Derbyshire very close to my heart and I am honoured to serve as club president.

“I enjoyed so many great times here as a player and as a coach, and I wish the current squad the very best as they continue to make great progress on the field.”

Last week, the county’s head of cricket, Dave Houghton, revealed that he was backing his team to compete to silverware when cricket is deemed safe to return. They reached their maiden T20 finals day in 2019, before losing out to eventual winners Essex in the semi-final.

“I think we have a team that would not do itself justice if it didn't start winning a few things,” he said.

“In the second division, I'm not sure there is a better bowling attack than us and we certainly have as competitive a top six batting lineup so, all things being said, Championship-wise we have as good an outfit as anyone.

“I think we showed in the T20 that we have found a formula that works really well for us which is enhanced by the fact we have so many allrounders in the side.

“So, my message to my guys will be fairly clear; we can go through the next couple of years and have a nice time and play some good cricket or we can go through this period and leave something behind that's a legacy.

“And I think we would do ourselves an injustice if we didn't because I think we are good enough to win, not just compete.”

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