All Derbyshire's matches in the season were first class as they played Nottinghamshire with a normal eleven man side in two matches as well as Kent and Lancashire. They also had a match against a United North of England Eleven. After an unbeaten season in 1874 season, Derbyshire won two matches and lost four. They won both matches against Kent, lost both against Nottinghamshire, lost against United North of England and drew one match and lost the other against Lancashire. Samuel Richardson was in his fifth season as captain. George Hay, a cricket professional, made his first class debut in the season and became a regular player for several years. Henry Shaw who worked as a painter for the Midland Railway, also made his debut. Although he only played one match in 1875, he went on to play further seasons for Derbyshire. Both Hay and Shaw had appeared in a minor game for Derbyshire in 1874. George Bradley, a house painter, and Dick Barlow, better known for his cricket career with Lancashire, each made their single career first class appearances during the season. In Derbyshire's opening match in May against Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire made 135 in the first innings and Derbyshire responded with 125. Nottinghamshire made 205 in their second innings. Hickton, who had bowled 36 overs and taken four wickets in the first inning, only bowled 20 overs in the second and was unable to bat through injury. A Derbyshire side, with one man down, managed 122 before being all out in the second innings 93 runs behind. In the second match, against Lancashire, Lancashire opened with 182 and Derbyshire made 129 in reply. Lancashire were all out for 68 in their second innings, but Derbyshire, with Shuker retired hurt, had only reached 77 before the close of play to leave the match a draw. Against Kent, Derbyshire made 307 to Kent's 131 and Kent were all out in their second innings for 113 saving Derbyshire the need to play again for an innings victory. In the next match, Lancashire opened with 240. Derbyshire made 121 and were called on to follow on. They were all out for 57 and it was their turn to lose by an innings. In the second match against Kent, Derbyshire made 213 and Kent managed 70 and 83 in their two innings to suffer an innings defeat again. In the second match against Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire replied to Nottinghamshire's 179 with 138. Nottinghamshire made 142 in the second innings, but Derbyshire were all out for 66 thanks to Shaw who achieved a hat-trick, and finished 117 runs behind. In the last match, the United North of England opened with 83 and Derbyshire made 56 in reply. The United North made 130 in the second innings and Derbyshire made 67 to lose by 90 runs. Thomas Foster was top scorer and W Mycroft took most wickets with 73. Mycroft had a five wicket innings in every match and achieved two five wicket innings in four of them
Matches
Statistics
Cricketers who played and their first-class batting performances
R Smith played another 6 innings in 3 other matches in which he scored 40 runs. W Mycroft played two other matches in which he scored 4 runs.
First-class bowling averages
Mycroft took a further 17 first class wickets in other matches.
