INTERVIEW: Threlkeld and Norris look ahead to the Vitality Blast
Lancashire Cricket captain Ellie Threlkeld said her side are “buzzing to get going” ahead of the 2026 Vitality Blast.
The Red Rose are set to face Surrey at the Kia Oval on Friday, which begins at 2:15pm. It is the first Vitality Blast game of a blockbuster double header down in Kennington, where it all starts for Lancashire this season.
“All the girls are buzzing to get going,” said the Lancashire skipper. “It’s always a really exciting time and hopefully we can kick off with a couple of wins. The girls are practicing hard now, and we’ve done a lot of work over the winter on our T20 cricket. So, hopefully, we can take what we’ve done in our preparation into the game and start the comp well.”
Looking ahead to the clash at the Oval, fast bowler Tara Norris agreed with her captain, and said the squad are “really looking forward” to getting underway in the Blast.
“Everyone is looking forward to it. It’s a much shorter format; players can play with a lot more freedom and be a bit braver. It’s class playing T20 cricket, so we’re looking forward to a change of format.”
Lancs’ marquee signing this summer for the Blast is Meg Lanning. The former Australian captain is one of the all-time greats, with 3405 runs to her name in T20i cricket, at an average of 36.61, with two centuries.
Norris has previously played with Lanning for Delhi Capitals in the WPL and offered insight about what she will bring to the squad. “She’s a brilliant leader and a fantastic player. I think the girls will learn loads from her, just from her experience and her leadership as well, so we’re really looking forward to having her.”
Threlkeld also shared her thoughts on Lancs’ newest overseas star. The captain said Lanning is a “huge signing” for the Red Rose.
“Her record sort of speaks for itself. [We are] so excited to have her with us and see what she can do. I’m sure she’ll add a lot to the group and I’m looking forward to seeing how she goes.
The legendary Australian joins an already experienced group of players at Emirates Old Trafford. The likes of Threlkeld and Norris would certainly fall into the category, as would Kate Cross. The Red Rose skipper said that experience will be crucial as they look to improve on 2025’s fourth place finish.
“I think there is so much experience in the dressing room. If you take Crossy, for example, she’s played so much cricket at such a high level. To have players like that in the dressing room, not only are they contributing on the field, but the off-field stuff is so important as well.”
“One comp we were quite disappointed in was the Blast. I think we’re a better T20 side than what we showed in that competition. We’ve got another chance to sort of put that right this year.”
After winning the 2025 Vitality County Cup, the Red Rose will be looking to better themselves in the Blast too, and push for a spot at Finals Day.
That special day in the county cricket calendar takes place at the same ground where it all starts on Friday. Threlkeld’s side will be hoping to get off to the best possible start in what should be a blockbuster affair.