He was a product of the work being done by Samuel Cadman behind the scenes in the nursery at Derbyshire in bringing forward young players of promise.
During these years, Alderman was able to keep his batting average ticking over and around the 25 mark, and, having played more times during the 1936 season than any other to date, cemented his place in the Derbyshire opening attack, most notably with Test cricketer Stan Worthington and sometime wicket-keeper Harry Storer alongside him.
At The Oval in 1936, Surrey batsman Tom Barling swept a ball from Bill Copson to leg which looked as if it was carrying for six.
He made his top score of 175 against Leicestershire at Chesterfield for an opening stand in three hours of 233 with Denis Smith followed by 149 for the second wicket with Stan Worthington.
In 1938 season he brought off another brilliant catch, this time off G. F. H. Heane at Trent Bridge, once again taking the ball in his outstretched right hand while running at full tilt in front of the startled members in the pavilion.