Holding role - Derbyshire name former player Michael as their new president

30 March 2017 09:23

Derbyshire have named Michael Holding as their new president.

Holding, the West Indies great who took 249 Test wickets and another 224 for Derbyshire during the 1980s, was appointed at the club's annual general meeting.

The 63-year-old former fast bowler remains a highly-recognisable personality in world cricket thanks to his job as a television pundit.

Holding's tenure begins after a winter in which Derbyshire have made eye-catching new signings under the leadership of ex-captain Kim Barnett, who ended his role as president to take over as director of cricket last September.

Holding said: "It is a great honour to be asked to be president of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, and I am looking forward to the year.

"I enjoyed immensely the few years I spent at Derbyshire and I always enjoy returning to the club."

He is encouraged by the changes made of late as Derbyshire, who finished bottom of Division Two in the Specsavers County Championship last season, try to improve fortunes.

"On my last visit in September, I saw all of the facilities, all of the improvements and the infrastructure which has gone into the club," he said.

"I am sure that the progress made off the field and around the ground will transfer on to the cricket field and that we will see some good results this summer."

Source: PA