David Lloyd gives up Derbyshire captaincy owing to poor form and opts to focus on his own game after disappointing first season.
David Lloyd has stood down as club captain ahead of the 2025 season.
Despite leading the team in the County Championship last year and joining from Glamorgan in 2023, Lloyd was unable to keep Derbyshire from taking home the wooden spoon when they finished last in Division Two.
The 32-year-old Lloyd averaged 23.47 with the bat and 31.00 with the ball in the Championship during his first full summer with the team. In pursuit of higher returns, he has chosen to resign as captain.
“David has given his all to the captaincy and he has been a fantastic leader for us, but the mental pressures of trying to lead a team, especially while you are trying to rediscover your own form, coupled with having a young family mean it’s best for all parties if we take some of that weight off his shoulders,” Derbyshire’s head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, said.
“David has been honest with me, he is determined to contribute to the team and his experience and leadership will still be invaluable for us, both on the field and in the dressing room, and I’m looking forward to seeing the best of him this summer.”
Prior to the 2024 season, Derbyshire underwent a makeover, with Lloyd taking over as captain following Leus du Plooy’s departure and the arrival of other new players. However, they only made modest progress; after being winless in 2023, they only managed one win, six losses, and a last-place finish.
But in their Derby headquarters, that one victory did put an end to a dreary five-year run in Championship cricket.
Lloyd said: “This has not been an easy decision for me, but I have had a good group of friends, family and team-mates to confide in over this winter, and I believe this is what will allow me to focus on my game.
“It has been an honour for me to captain Derbyshire, and I’m now looking forward to playing with less pressure on my shoulders, continuing to learn from the experience of Mickey and our coaching team, and showing our members and supporters what I can do.
“We want to get back to competing across all formats, I am excited to play my part and hopefully helping our new club captain any way I can.”