Derbyshire played eight county games in 1880, two each against Lancashire, Kent, Sussex and Yorkshire.
Sydney Evershed of the brewing family and Edmund Maynard an Old Harrovian, both future captains, made their debuts for the club in 1880.
George Barrington an Old Reptonian, and James Stubbings, a stonemason, went on to play occasionally for several more seasons.
Derbyshire's long standing wicket-keeper since 1873, Alfort Smith, played his last season in 1880, but maintained contact with the game by umpiring.
AW Cursham played his second and last season as a cricketer for Derbyshire but continued his football career until he emigrated to the United States three years later.
With a day spare, the teams played a fill up one-innings match in which Derbyshire made 119, but Australia did not have a chance to bat.
Derbyshire's second innings total was 244 but there was only time for Sussex to make 43 for the loss of one wicket, and the match ended in a draw.
Yorkshire went in to bat again to make the 23 runs needed to give them a seven wicket victory by the end of the second day.
Thomas Foster was top scorer for Derbyshire although William Rigley scored most first class runs.