Leicestershire v Derbyshire postponed after road accident

Derbyshire's opening County Championship match of the season at Leicestershire has been postponed after wicketkeeper Tom Poynton's father Keith died in a serious road accident.

The 24-year-old was also involved in the accident on Friday night and went to hospital with a suspected fracture.

Derbyshire said the club are "deeply distressed and concerned for Tom and his family".

The Division Two game was due to start at Grace Road on Sunday.

The match has been re-arranged as a mark of respect and has been provisionally scheduled to start on Sunday, 8 June.

"We are a small close knit group here and Tom's dad was well known to our players and coaching staff," Derbyshire chief executive Simon Storey said in a statement on the club website.

"We are still trying to come to terms with the devastating news and at the moment our concerns are solely with Tom and his family at this difficult time.

"We are deeply indebted to the chairman, chief executive and director of cricket at Leicestershire CCC who have supported the decision to postpone the game.

"I am very sorry to everyone who was looking forward to the opening fixture."

Former Repton pupil Poynton came through the youth ranks at Derbyshire and has made a total of 33 first-class appearances since his debut in 2007.

A second XI fixture between the two counties which was due to start on Monday has also been called off.

A Leicestershire statement said: "Our thoughts are with Derbyshire CCC at this tragic time."