Guest signs contract extension!

Piece by piece, Mickey Arthur's jigsaw for revamping Derbyshire cricket is taking shape.

Today came news that wicketkeeper batter Brooke Guest has signed an extension to his existing deal, which will keep him at the club until the end of 2025 at this stage.

There were stories a few weeks back that he might not be here next season, but to be honest, I was always firmly of the conviction that such stories were nonsense. My understanding was then and is now - as today's announcement has shown - that Brooke is very happy at Derbyshire.

Indeed, all I hear are positive things emanating from the dressing room, positive comments about the culture that has been developed and an environment where there are no egos.

Brooke is a diamond of a cricketer and I have every expectation that at some point in the future he will earn representative selection. There are good wicketkeepers about, and there are good batters about, but those who keep to a high standard and score heavily at number 3 are in very short supply.

I have liked him since I first saw him at the club and needed no one to tell me that he had a bright future. I am delighted to see that he has shown the world of cricket - and certainly Derbyshire supporters - just what he is capable of in 2022.

With his hard work ethic, his positive attitude and a grounded upbringing, I am sure that he will go from strength to strength.

And we are all going to enjoy watching that.