Former Cape Cobras fast bowler Michael Cohen is looking forward to working alongside a host of talent – including West Indian Ravi Rampaul – at Derbyshire this year.

Cohen rejected a contract extension in South Africa last year to pursue a career in the United Kingdom in 2020.

He will join a Derbyshire seam attack comprising Rampaul and the experienced Tony Palladino to work with bowling coach Steve Kirby.

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‘Kirby has had a profound impact so far. He has tremendous energy, knowledge and a love for the game that is infectious. Sessions with him are really enjoyable – I have even been blindfolded in the pursuit of technical improvements and told to try run in and bowl,’ Cohen told Derbyshire’s website.

‘He puts a lot of work into Derbyshire’s structure and I’m looking forward to continuing my career. Learning from those who have experience is extremely beneficial. However, it isn’t just limited to the senior bowling core, but includes the batters, both senior and developing, within the squad. In the conversations I’ve had with Tony so far, I have been thankful for his willingness to share vast amounts of experience, information and cricket-related stories.’

Australian duo Ben McDermott and Sean Abbott were scheduled to play for Derbyshire this season. Their arrivals, however, have been prevented amid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Former South Africa Emerging Players batsman Leus du Plooy, though, will be with Cohen at the county.

‘The freezing cold mornings took a few days of adjustment. Besides that, I have been made to feel at home within this environment. It did help to have a familiar face in Leus, but I am appreciative of the inclusiveness of my teammates and coaching team and look forward to getting to know more about each other over the coming months,’ concluded Cohen.

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