Whiteley extends Derbyshire contract for 2026

Ross Whiteley hit 80 off 52 balls against Nottinghamshire in this summer's One-Day Cup

Batter Ross Whiteley has taken up an option in his contract to stay with Derbyshire for the 2026 county season.

Whiteley made 18 white-ball appearances for the county this summer, a sufficient number to allow him to trigger the extension.

The 37-year-old also played for Trent Rockets in the men's final of The Hundred, scoring 14 at Lord's as they lost to Oval Invincibles.

"Ross is one of the most experienced white-ball cricketers in the county game - with the direction we are looking to take our team in, that experience will be vital in guiding our young players," head of cricket Mickey Arthur told the club website.

"Ross still has the ability to rise to the occasion and take a game away from the opposition. We've seen it multiple times in local derbies over the last two seasons and we look forward to more special performances in 2026."

Whiteley is in his second spell with the club, having previously been a member of the team which won promotion from County Championship Division Two in 2012.

"My search for silverware with the Falcons continues," he said. "I firmly believe we have a very talented squad, which has shown real promise in white-ball cricket over the last two years despite results not always going our way."