PREVIEW: Lancashire Lightning v Derbyshire Falcons
PREVIEW: Lancashire Lightning v Derbyshire Falcons, NatWest T20 Blast
Lancashire are looking to end a run of two NatWest T20 Blast matches without a win against Derbyshire Falcons at Emirates Old Trafford tomorrow afternoon (2.30pm start).
Following an opening night win at Durham last Friday, the Lightning’s North Group campaign has seen them lose to Leicestershire at Liverpool on Sunday and tie with Yorkshire at Emirates Old Trafford last night.
They face a Falcons side who are flying high having won their opening two matches, with Luis Reece welcomed back to his former home.
Yorkshire were 64-2 after 8.1 overs chasing 177 on Friday when rain took the players off, with Duckworth Lewis Stern having the scores level.
THE MATCH
Lancashire Lightning v Derbyshire Falcons
Sunday 16 July
Emirates Old Trafford
NatWest T20 Blast
OPPONENTS
The Falcons have made an excellent start to their campaign, beating champions Northants and Yorkshire.
They have not played since the latter clash, a three-run win over the Vikings at Chesterfield last Saturday.
Coached by New Zealander John Wright, a specialist coach for this competition only, their overseas duo are fellow Kiwi Matt Henry, the seamer, and South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir.
Derbyshire have only ever reached the quarter-final of the Blast once since the competition’s inception back in 2003.
They were beaten here by an Andrew Symonds-inspired Lancashire in 2005. Luke Sutton was in the Falcons side that night.
LAST TIME OUT
Lancashire suffered their sixth defeat of the competition at the County Ground last July.
Alviro Petersen hit 79 as he and Reece, now a Derbyshire player, put on 68 inside seven overs to get the Lightning off to a flyer.
But the South African was the first of six wickets to fall for 10 runs in the final 14 balls as they finished with 167-9.
With all the momentum now with the Falcons, they weren’t about to let it slip.
Kiwi Hamish Rutherford and Wes Durston (51), both no longer with the county, shared 75 inside seven overs for the first wicket to ensure a routine six-wicket win.
WHAT THEY SAID
Karl Brown, who scored 61 against Yorkshire, has described a mixed start to the Lightning’s Blast campaign, but he insists they are not far away from hitting form.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a bad start, but it’s not a good start either,” said the opening batsman. “I think we’re about even as it stands.
“There’s a long way to go, and it’s all about getting on that run of winning three or four games on the bounce, which can get you into a really good position.
“It’s not easy to do in this format, but that’s what you’ve got to try and do.
“I don’t think we’re too far away from producing some really good performances.”
OTHER FIXTURES
Check out the other fixtures taking place in the NatWest T20 Blast North group on Sunday 16 July
- Birmingham Bears v Leicestershire Foxes, Edgbaston
Lancashire Lightning NatWest T20 Blast home fixtures:
- Lancashire Lightning v Derbyshire Falcons, Sun 16 July, Emirates Old Trafford - Buy Tickets
- Lancashire Lightning v Durham Jets, Sun 23 July, Emirates Old Trafford - Buy Tickets
- Lancashire Lightning v Notts Outlaws, Fri 28 July, Emirates Old Trafford - Buy Tickets
- Lancashire Lightning v Worcestershire Rapids, Wed 16 August, Emirates Old Trafford - Buy Tickets
- Lancashire Lightning v Birmingham Bears, Fri 18 August, Emirates Old Trafford - Buy Tickets
Hurry and buy your tickets now. You can buy yours tickets here, or by calling 08444 999 666* or emailing tickets@lccc.co.uk.