Billy Stanlake's spell in county cricket with Derbyshire has come to an premature end after one game with the Australia seamer diagnosed with a back stress fracture. "We're hugely disappointed that we won't get to see more of Billy this year," Dave Houghton, Derbyshire's Head of Cricket said. "He's been a model professional during his time with us and we wish him all the best in his recovery."Stanlake made his Derbyshire debut in the County Championship in last week's fixture against Essex at Chelmsford, where he dismissed both of Essex's openers - Nick Browne and Alastair Cook. He finished the game - which Derbyshire lost by an innings and 15 runs - with figures of 2 for 91. Unfortunately for him, scans taken after this game revealed his injury. He is now set to return home and begin rehabilitation with the Queensland medical staff.
"Our search for a replacement has already begun and we are hopeful of bringing in another bowler in the not-too-distant future who can contribute in all formats this summer," Houghton said. The match against Essex was only the ninth first-class appearance of Stanlake's career, with the 26-year-old hoping to work on his long-format bowling while at Derbyshire. The 6ft 7in quick was also expected to play at key role in the club's T20 Blast campaign. Stanlake, who last played for Australia in 2019, had been due for a Blast stint with Derbyshire two years ago before being ruled out by injury. He played a full part in the 2020-21 Big Bash with Melbourne Stars, before taking career-best List A figures in the Marsh Cup in February. Stanlake, who has 81 wickets in 76 T20 outings, was expected to make a bigger impact in the upcoming T20 Blast from June 9, but Derbyshire now have to find a replacement for all formats.
