Derbyshire 2026 T20 Blast Cricket Draft Preview
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Overview
Derbyshire will be looking for significant improvement after a disappointing 2025 campaign, finishing bottom of the North Group with just four wins. The retirement of Samit Patel leaves a significant void, stripping the squad of an experienced all-rounder. However, the power-hitting of Aneurin Donald and the wrist-spin of Mohammad Ghazanfar were major bright spots.
Ghazanfar's stock has risen globally; he is currently at the IPL and is only due to return for the second half of the Blast. In his absence, Sufyan Moqim, who leads the PSL wicket-taking charts at the time of writing, looks a high-quality replacement. Under the new format, Derbyshire faces a steep climb in a section containing last year's North Group frontrunners, Lancashire and Durham. Reaching the knockout stages will be a significant challenge.
Banker / Wildcard / Young Gun / England Pick
Banker: Aneurin Donald (WKT)
Donald was a revelation in 2025, blasting 449 runs at a massive strike rate of 216.90—form that earned him a Hundred contract with Birmingham Phoenix. He notched six half-centuries in 14 innings, consistently providing explosive starts alongside overseas partner Caleb Jewell. His 31 sixes were the most in the entire competition, edging out David Willey (29). Expect more fireworks in 2026.
Wildcard: Matthew Montgomery (BAT)
A shrewd signing from Notts, Montgomery will be eager to cement his role at his new county. While his 2025 average of 19 (190 runs) seems modest, his strike rate of 163.79 makes him a dangerous middle-order asset. Crucially for fantasy managers, though listed as a batter, he took 15 wickets at 18.06 with his off-spin last year. He represents a high-value "out of position" player who contributes in both disciplines.
Young Gun: Rory Haydon (BWL)
Derbyshire used only 16 players in the Blast last year, maintaining a tight-knit squad, but Rory Haydon is someone firmly knocking on the door. He was the club’s leading wicket-taker in the Second XI T20 last summer, proving he has the white-ball pedigree. While the 23-year-old made his First-Class debut at the end of last season and featured in the One Day Cup, he is yet to make his bow in T20 cricket.
England Watch: Shoaib Bashir (BWL)
Bashir has settled quickly at Derbyshire, claiming six wickets in his first two red-ball outings, including a four-wicket haul against Lancashire. While he only has seven career T20 appearances to his name, his move North offers a fresh start to develop his white-ball craft. Competition for the spin spots will be fierce; Alex Thomson and Jack Morley are also vying for starts, but Bashir’s international pedigree makes him the one the selectors will be watching closely although his chances may be limited.
Potential Strongest T20 Blast Starting XI
No | Player | Role |
1 | Caleb Jewell (OS) | BAT |
2 | Aneurin Donald | WKT |
3 | Harry Came | BAT |
4 | Matthew Montgomery | BAT |
5 | Wayne Madsen | BAT |
6 | Ross Whiteley | BAT |
7 | Martin Andersson | ALR |
8 | Zak Chappell | BWL |
9 | Sufyan Moqim (OS) | BWL |
10 | Pat Brown | BWL |
11 | Ben Aitchison | BWL |
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