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.