INTERVIEW: Keaton Jennings previews the Vitality Blast
Lancashire Cricket’s Vitality Blast captain Keaton Jennings says his side are “in the best place possible to go and perform” in their 2026 T20 season opener.
Lightning will face Surrey at the Kia Oval on Friday evening, in a mouthwatering opening fixture. It is the first time Lancs have played a Blast game in Kennington since 2005.
It is a different sort of opening day fixture for Jennings’ side. The skipper was quick to point out just how much the squad are looking forward to the clash.
“It’s an exciting day. It’s not every day you get to start your T20 campaign down in the Big Smoke against Surrey, so the boys are excited.
“We’ve had a couple of guys go down [with injuries]. But, I think the guys who are fit are ready to go, are keen and eager and in the best place possible to go and perform come Friday night.”
The injuries to Luke Wells, Arav Shetty and Ajeet Singh Dale are certainly far from ideal for the Red Rose. Yet, Jennings explained the benefit to having such a sizeable squad is the fact there are plenty of options.
“We’re going to have quite a few guys come back from the IPL and various other tournaments around the world, and back from injury. As the weeks unfold, it could be a very different side that starts, that finishes.
“But I suppose that’s the good thing about having a big squad. We’ve got some incredibly high quality, experienced cricketers to come in and out of this team.”
One of those experienced players the captain alluded to was overseas star Ben McDermott. He will join fellow Australian Chris Green in the squad this season, and is set for his second Blast stint, having played for Hampshire between 2022 and 2024.
Jennings witnessed first hand in the nets this week exactly what he can do and was signing the 31-year-old’s praises. “[He’s a] strong lad! I just hit balls next to him in the net, he hits the ball clean. He seems a lovely, sound lad, seems eager to really get in and amongst the group.
“Hopefully has a really successful couple of weeks. Manchester is a lovely place to play. Hopefully he can get stuck in and win us a few games.”
The ultimate goal this season, of course, is to lift the Vitality Blast. Lightning have only done that once, in 2015, despite reaching Finals Day 10 times. Jennings was keen to stress that, if his side qualify, figuring out a way to lift the trophy again is a priority.
“Let’s get there again and let’s be stuck with that problem. It’s a good problem to have, that you’re getting into the knockouts. Let’s get there, and let’s try and change that narrative once we’re there.”
After taking on Surrey this Friday at the Kia Oval, Jennings and his side play at Emirates Old Trafford for the first time on Monday. They face Nottinghamshire in the second game of a double header.
Watch the full interview with Keaton Jennings on LancsTV
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