An opening batsman who thrives on dominating the bowlers, Dan Birch got his first-class career off to an incredible start by becoming the first Derbyshire batsman in history to score a century before lunch on his debut.

Cambridge University were on the receiving end of his brutal 130 from just 119 balls that day and Birch continued the theme of debut success with 95 in his maiden Championship innings against Gloucestershire.

Birch's transformation from amateur club cricketer in 2006 to full-time county professional the following year is a heart-warming story and one that gives hope to many a batsman in club cricket around the country.

His father, John Birch, played 250 first-class games for Nottinghamshire from 1973 to 1988 and Dan looked like following in his father's footsteps when he was on the books at Trent Bridge as a schoolboy.

But he was released at the age of 17 and could have been forgiven for thinking that his chance of playing first-class cricket had gone.

Birch, however, continued to strive for improvement in his game and a crucial stage in his development was to play some Second XI County Cricket for Kent in 2006.

And his hard work was rewarded when Derbyshire came knocking with a professional contract ahead of season 2007.

With Derbyshire players expected to turn out for their club sides when the fixture schedule allows, Birch returned to Sandiacre CC for a match against Alvaston and Boulton CC in June 2007 and he trounced a league-record score of 224*.

Birch showed enough promise in his first season of professional cricket to be offered a new one-year deal at the end of 2007.