Tom Wood determined to make the most of his chance at Derbyshire

Tom Wood finished Derbyshire's season strongly. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Wood, 26, signed a new one-year deal with the club last month after top-scoring with 67 against Yorkshire in Derbyshire’s Vitality Blast group fixture.

The opener also made his sole Bob Willis Trophy appearance against the same opposition earlier in the campaign, putting on a half-century partnership with Billy Godleman.

He re-joined the club earlier this year, after impressing in local cricket and for the Second XI, where he was a regular source of runs.

Having worked his way back to playing in the first team, Wood says he will not be letting go his opportunity easily and hopes to build on his 2020 performances.

“Ever since I was a kid, all I’ve wanted to do is play cricket professionally,” Wood told BBC Radio Derby

“It didn’t work out the first time around, but I didn’t give up, I went away and continued to work hard, doing everything I could. I went abroad, I scored runs in league cricket and in the Second XI, to try to get any opportunities that could come my way.

“There’s been some ups and downs, to say the least. Peaks, valleys and a few troughs too, just to have that determination and back my ability, I’ve always believed I could do it, but to have the opportunity to prove it to myself and everyone else is amazing.”

Joining Wood in committing for next season are fellow Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby graduates Nils Priestley and Nick Potts, as well as bowler Ben Aitchison and Mattie McKiernan.

Despite the relative inexperience within the squad, Wood believes there is great potential at Derbyshire, something he’s looking forward to being a part of.

“It’s a youthful squad, but there’s nothing like playing first-class cricket,” he added.

“You learn on the job, no matter how many games you’ve played, you always keep learning and you never know it all when it comes to cricket, that’s for sure.

“I think it’s just about the whole squad learning and growing together, if we can keep improving, I think it’s an exciting squad.”