5th January 2018
| Mallory Gray
Claire Nicholas collects inaugural John Derrick award
Christine Derrick presenting Claire Nicholas with the inaugural John Derrick Award.
In March 2017 Welsh cricket lost one of its true giants following the passing of John Derrick. John was a former Glamorgan player and indeed Glamorgan’s most successful coach. In 2010 he was appointed as the Cricket Wales Performance Manager overlooking all boys and girls Wales age group teams. All at Cricket Wales miss John both personally and professionally – his commitment, passion, knowledge, expertise, time for everyone and sense of humour always shone through, often via the biggest smile within Welsh cricket!
In partnership with Aimee Rees, John was particularly proud of the progress made by the Cricket Wales Women and Girls’ teams, and it is in recognition of this that we have introduced the John Derrick Award for the outstanding women and girl’s player of the year. The inaugural winner of this prestigious new Award is Claire Nicholas.
Claire has played over 100 times for Wales women and captained the team up until 2017. Her commitment and dedication to Cricket Wales is unconditional. Her work ethic, drive, desire to be successful, cricketing ability and always playing with the spirit of the game in mind, make her an exceptional role model for any young girl starting out in their cricketing career.
In 2017 Claire was rewarded for her hard work and dedication by being selected for Western Storm to play in the KIA super league alongside the best female cricketers in the world. Claire is the first welsh player to achieve this accolade.
Claire featured in all seven super league games for Western Storm opening the bowling along with England world cup winner Anya Shrubsole. Claire was described as the find of the tournament and has finished up as the best non-international bowler and seventh overall in the statistics. Claire took 8 wickets in the tournament at an average of 15.75 with an economy of 5.47. Claire dismissed England world cup winners Tammy Beaumont twice, Natalie Sciver, Katherine Brunt and former South African captain Mignion Du Preez.
John would be so very proud of you Claire and all you have achieved in 2017. Congratulations!