Wayne Madsen, an experienced batter, has agreed to return as Derbyshire’s captain, taking over from David Lloyd. This will be Madsen’s second stint as county captain, having previously led the team from 2012 to 2016.
Madsen’s reappointment comes shortly before the new season begins, following David Lloyd’s decision to step down. During his first captaincy, Madsen successfully guided Derbyshire to promotion from Division Two of the County Championship in his first year.
Mickey Arthur, Derbyshire’s Head of Cricket, expressed his satisfaction with Madsen’s return to leadership. He highlighted Madsen’s leadership qualities and popularity within the team, stating he is confident in Madsen leading the team in 2025.
Arthur emphasized Madsen’s valuable experience, recalling his previous promotion as captain and his anticipation for Madsen’s strategies on the field. He praised Madsen’s leadership by example, high standards in training, professionalism, and the pride and enthusiasm he brings to the role.
Despite Derbyshire’s disappointing performance in 2024, where they finished at the bottom of Division Two, Madsen was a standout performer. He was the club’s top run-scorer in the Championship, achieving 1005 runs at an average of 50.25. This marked the seventh time in 12 seasons that he has surpassed 1000 runs.
To date, Madsen has accumulated 14,601 first-class runs for Derbyshire, ranking him ninth in the club’s history.
Madsen himself expressed his honor in captaining Derbyshire once again. He acknowledged the significance of representing the county and its members and affirmed his pride in leading the team. He credited David Lloyd for establishing a strong foundation and expressed his commitment to building upon it.
Madsen recognized the togetherness and resilience fostered within the squad by Lloyd and Mickey Arthur, despite the previous season’s outcomes. He aims to continue these qualities into the upcoming year. Madsen conveyed his pride in leading the team and his excitement for their potential success under Mickey Arthur’s guidance, emphasizing the squad’s determination to win and achieve success for their supporters.
