Jonathan Clare is a young allrounder with considerable promise. Born in Burnley, he came through the Lancashire youth system where he played age-group cricket from Under-11s before joining the Academy. Limited opportunities in the Lancashire second XI led to a decision to move to Derbyshire. He had been playing for Derbyshire seconds for two years until his first-class call-up in 2007, and he grabbed the opportunity to take his maiden first-class five wicket haul on debut against Nottinghamshire in 2007. Clare was offered a professional contract for 2008, and enjoyed a fruitful season with bat and ball, scoring his maiden first-class hundred against Northamptonshire in July of that year. He showed his allround value by picking up match figures of 7 for 74 in the same game. He was rewarded for a good season with a place in a three-week ECB strength and conditioning programme for fast bowlers in Florida, but struggled to find a place in the first XI in 2009. Nonetheless, he was offered a contract which will keep him at the county until 2012.
Cricinfo staff June 2010