REPORT: RUSSELL SMITH
Horspath are excited to announce Jamaican international all-rounder Derval Green has re-signed for the 2026 season.
The experienced West Indian made a big impact at the Recreation Ground last year with his explosive hitting including a Home Counties Premier Cricket League club record unbeaten 141 off 91 balls against Wokingham.
That whirlwind innings included an incredible 13 sixes and helped Horspath record a resounding 144-run victory.
With the 37-year-old impressing, the side enjoyed a 10-match unbeaten run, climbing to third and challenging for promotion from Division 2 before eventually finishing fifth.
Speaking from Jamaica, Derval said: “It’s great to share the news that I am back where I truly belong for another season with Horspath CC.
“I’m very happy to be coming back and looking forward to us doing even better things this season.”
Horspath Director of Cricket Will Eason commented: “We are delighted to secure Derval for the 2026 season. His impact within the first team squad was huge when he arrived in early June in 2025.
“I firmly believe having someone of his quality within the group made the whole squad raise their game, which led to an unbeaten league run in the middle half of the league season.
“With his arrival anticipated to be early pre-season, this will allow us to hit the league season running.
“Some of his performances in 2025 with both bat and ball will be talked about for a long time, particularly the innings against Wokingham. We are looking forward to seeing even more of this in the upcoming season.”
Derval’s arrival last year was held up by a delay to his visa application, leading to him missing the first four Home Counties games.
But he was quick to make up for lost time, hitting 413 runs in the HCPCL at an average of 51.63 with his record-breaking ton allied to two half-centuries, while his medium-fast bowling returned 18 wickets at 27.44, including a match-winning 6-45 against Falkland.
Displaying his T20 skills in the Hartwell Trophy, he made 166 runs at an average of 33.20, including 51 off 33 balls against Oxenford and 48 from 30 deliveries as Horspath finished runners-up to Aston Rowant in a rain-affected final at Challow & Childrey. He also picked up five wickets in the competition at an average of 8.40.
Since returning to the Caribbean in the autumn, Derval has been pre-occupied with looking after his family and helping his community after Jamaica suffered catastrophic devastation when it was hit by Hurricane Melissa in October.
His parish of Trelawny was in the eye of the storm and although his house survived with the front door and windows blown out, many of his family and neighbours lost their homes. At one stage, he had 13 people living under his roof.
A massive clear-up and rebuilding operation has been taking place with Horspath launching a Jamaica Hurricane Relief Appeal in aid of Derval and his family.
Generous donations by club members saw £950 sent to the all-rounder before Christmas to help with the reconstruction of homes.
The club look forward to welcoming back Derval, whose role will also include coaching, to the Recreation Ground.
