Stubbings awarded benefit year

Steve Stubbings, the Derbyshire batsman, has been awarded a benefit by the club for next season.

Stubbings, 29, has served Derbyshire for 11 years, scoring 6,755 first-class runs at 32.01. He was handed his county cap in 2001 and has captained the side on several occasions over the past two years.

"This is a thoroughly deserved accolade for Steve who has been a terrific servant to Derbyshire for over a decade," Don Amott, the Derbyshire chairman said. "Not only has he been an outstanding and reliable player, he is also one of the nicest and most genuine guys you will meet in cricket.

"I hope he has a very successful benefit year and that the members and supporters come out and support his events throughout the year 2008."

"I have been very proud to represent Derbyshire over the last 11 seasons," Stubbings said, "and to be given a benefit year is an incredible honour and is very humbling.

"Being awarded a benefit year is something that doesn't happen to everybody and I feel extremely privileged to be selected, particularly when you look at the list of previous beneficiaries in recent years which is pretty exclusive company to be in."