SALTIRES player Ali Evans has been handed the chance to earn a deal on the county circuit with Derbyshire.

The Carlton bowler, 22, has joined the Midlands outfit for a pre-season trial after impressing the club�s officials last season when he was their leading wicket-taker in the Second XI Championship.

Evans said: �It�s a great opportunity for me and I�m really looking forward to it. I will be dropped in at the deep end and it�s going to be hard work. But chances like this don�t often come along.

�I enjoyed every minute of last season although the volume of good standard cricket was an eye-opener. It helped me kick on because you have to wake up every day and perform at a higher level than you are used to.

�That�s a challenge I enjoy and want to experience again.�

Evans, who has five Scotland caps, took 31 wickets in six Second XI Championship matches last season at an average of 20.67.