Tom Poynton delighted with Derbyshire CCC’s pre-season Abu Dhabi tour

Tom Poynton has hailed the pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi a success and says the Derbsyhire squad are raring to go with the new season just a little under five weeks away.
Derbyshire's Tom PoyntonDerbyshire's Tom Poynton
Derbyshire's Tom Poynton

The squad returned to the UK this morning after enjoying 10 days in the heat of the United Arab Emirates taking part in an intense regime of warm weather training and competitive fixtures against fellow first-class counties.

Poynton says the tour had been the ideal preparation ahead of the new campaign as the squad target a quick start to the 2015 season.

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“It’s been good to get outdoors after being indoors and in the gym for such a long period of time,” Poynton said.

“It’s been nice to get some grass under your feet and get some proper cricket in. It’s an exciting time of the year and you know you’re in the build up to the season. It really starts to kick in from here.

“Abu Dhabi provided us with a warm weather backdrop which is much better than being in Derby. The guys have seen a lot of the indoor centre the past 5 months so I think we were looking for a refreshed environment.

“We went to Abu Dhabi last year and it was great to go back again. It was good to have some other counties here to play against and its fantastic preparation.

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Poynton added: “The club is the healthiest that’s it been certainly in my time.

“Graeme has a fantastic coaching staff and it’s exciting with the players we have coming through. We have a youthful side with a blend of experience.

“The likes of Harry White and Will Davis have just signed their first contracts and had the opportunity to get some proper experience playing against county opposition in Abu Dhabi

“But it says something about Graeme and backs the youngsters and builds them with confidence and he manages them very well.

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“It’s just a really exciting time to be a part of the Club. The culture we are creating is something special and I think there will definitely be more silverware in the cabinet going forward.”

Membership, Tickets and Six Packs for 2015 are on sale! Supporters can purchase tickets over the phone by calling 0871 350 1870, online HERE or in person at The 3aaa County Ground; Grandstand Road, Derby, DE21 6AF

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