Derbyshire Signs Caleb Jewell

Derbyshire has strengthened their squad for the 2025 season by signing Caleb Jewell, an Australian opening batter, as one of their overseas players. Jewell, 27, has played for Australia A and is expected to feature across all formats for the club.

The left-hander holds a first-class average of 31.47, having been part of the Tasmania team that reached the final of the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield. Earlier in the season, he made his career-best score of 227 against Western Australia. Jewell is also a regular for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.

Derbyshire’s head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, revealed that Jewell had been on his radar for some time, and spoke highly of the feedback he received about Jewell's talent. "Everyone I’ve spoken to, including George Bailey, Chief Selector for Cricket Australia, and Ian Bell, has praised his ability," Arthur said. He added that Derbyshire recognized the need to bolster their batting lineup across all formats, and having Jewell for the entire season would provide the consistency they require, particularly at the top of the order.

Although Jewell has yet to earn a senior cap for Australia, his performances for Australia A in 2023, where he scored 66, 78, and 131, have sparked discussions about him potentially succeeding David Warner or Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in Test cricket.

Jewell expressed his excitement about his first opportunity to play county cricket, saying he is eager to make an impact at Derbyshire and prove his skills in all formats. "I’ve seen many Australian players leave their mark in England, and I want to be the next," Jewell stated. He is looking forward to working with Derbyshire’s coaching staff and playing alongside the talented squad at the club.

Derbyshire has endured a tough season in the County Championship, currently set to finish last in Division Two, though they came close to reaching the knockout stages in both white-ball competitions. Jewell’s signing follows that of Martin Andersson, an all-rounder from Middlesex, who recently agreed to a two-year deal with Derbyshire ahead of the 2025 summer.