Falcons name new Vitality Blast Captain
22.02.26, 18:00 Updated 26.02.26, 21:02 2 Minute Read
Paul Fisher
The wicket-keeper batsman takes over from Samit Patel, who left the club at the end of a disappointing 2025 campaign. Donald, scored more than 450 runs in the short format of the game in an impressive season with the Falcons.
The 29-year-old signed a new two-year contract extension in the winter after equalling the record for the fastest Vitality Blast half-century, scoring a 13-ball 50 against Yorkshire, at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield last summer. Nine of Donald’s half-centuries for Derbyshire have come in 25 balls or less.
Donald was part of the Hampshire Hawks squad which won the Vitality Blast in 2022 and will be supported in the role by veterans Wayne Madsen and Ross Whiteley and Big Bash winner Caleb Jewell. Derbyshire hope to reach the T20 finals day that they last attended in 2019.
Donald spoke to the official Derbyshire website and said: “Really proud day for myself and to be a small part of Derbyshire’s history in this sense, I’m really honoured, it’s a big feather in my cap.
Become a member today.
The Peakite needs its community to support independent, high-quality coverage of Derbyshire Cricket. Subscribe to a monthly or annual package today to be a part of something special.
Already have an account?