Dominic Cork to return as Derbyshire Falcons head coach for Vitality Blast

Dominic Cork will return to lead the Derbyshire Falcons in this season's T20. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

The Derbyshire great, who won the tournament in 2010 as a player, has held the role since 2019 and led the side to their first-ever Finals Day appearance in the same year.

The former England fast bowler will be aided by Assistant Coaches Ajmal Shahzad (Bowling Lead) and Mal Loye (Batting Lead), as the Falcons aim to once again challenge for silverware in Vitality Blast cricket.

Cork said: “I am glad to be back this season. We have laid some really strong foundations over the last few years, and we’re really looking forward to building on that this season.

“Last year was disappointing, there’s no escaping that, but with the return of cricket to Derbyshire, the addition of overseas talent to a balanced squad, we’re confident of competing again this year.

"We got a taste of Finals Day in 2019 and we all want to perform on that stage again. We want this year to be a better year on the field than last year.

“Last year was tough for me, I hate losing. I didn’t like losing as a player and I don’t like it as a coach. You don’t want to have a season like we did.

“But the experience that some of our guys got last year, playing against some top opposition away from home, hopefully we will reap the benefits of that when they’re in their own environment, at The Incora County Ground and playing for the badge.

“Hopefully the members will be watching in the ground and we can show them just the kind of side we are, because we are going to fight for every single ball and, hopefully, fight our way to victories.”

Head of Cricket, Dave Houghton, added: “Dominic is a proven winner in Twenty20 cricket, both as a player, and with the work he has already done as T20 Head Coach.

“We have a good mix of youth and experience in the squad, and the guidance that Dom and the coaching team can give them in white-ball cricket is invaluable.”

Cork will take charge of a Falcons squad which features the experience of captain Billy Godleman, record batsman Wayne Madsen and leading wicket-taker, Alex Hughes, as well as an exciting bowling attack and added firepower from Australia wicketkeeper-batsman, Ben McDermott.