Derbyshire sign batsman Lace on loan

Derbyshire has signed opening batsman Tom Lace on loan from Middlesex for the remainder of the 2018 season.

The 20-year-old will be available for the rest of the summer and joins up with the Derbyshire squad ahead of the Specsavers County Championship match versus Kent at The 3aaa County Ground, starting on Wednesday.

A product of the Middlesex Academy, the opening batsman made his Second XI debut in 2015 and scored his maiden century against Worcestershire Second XI the following summer, aged just 17.

This summer, the right-hander has played six Second XI Championship matches and scored 322 runs at an average of 32.20 and with a top score of 94.

Derbyshire Captain, Billy Godleman said: “We wanted to bring in an out-and-out top-order batsman as short-term cover whilst Luis Reece continues his recovery.

“Tom is a good young batsman who is keen to progress and he comes highly recommended by Angus Fraser at Middlesex.

“It’s a good opportunity for Tom to gain some first-class experience and continue his development, while providing us with a talented option at the top of the order for our final games of the summer.”

Lace added: “I would like to thank Middlesex for giving me the opportunity to join Derbyshire on loan until the end of the season and I am very much looking forward to playing some first-class cricket.

“My thanks also go to Derbyshire for this opportunity and I hope to be able to contribute towards a successful end to the Championship campaign.”

The news comes after last week’s announcement that Godleman has signed a three-year contract extension to keep him at the Club until the end of the 2021 season.

Images by Middlesex Cricket