Billy Godleman’s 92 and Matt Critchley’s 4-36 helped Derbyshire Falcons to a 20-run win over reigning champions Worcestershire Rapids at The Pattonair County Ground.
A 135-opening stand between Luis Reece (51) and Godleman helped the Falcons to a score of 181-2 from their 20 overs, setting the reigning champions 182 to win.
Critchley claimed 4-36 as the Falcons moved up to fourth in the table, with Ravi Rampaul and Luis Reece also taking wickets for the Falcons in Derby.
Having won the toss and electing to bat, Godleman made an ideal start to the innings when he smashed Wayne Parnell for six off the first ball that he faced.
The captain reached his half-century in 29 balls, his fastest in T20, including seven fours and one six, while Reece also made it to 50 in 37 deliveries.
The pair moved their partnership into three-figures in the 12th over, before Reece was caught by Callum Ferguson off the bowling of Daryl Mitchell for 51.
The 135-run partnership was the highest for Derbyshire against Worcestershire in Twenty20, and the third highest overall. Godleman continued and reached a new high-score of 92 in T20, before being caught by Ross Whiteley off Pat Brown in the final over of the innings.
Wayne Madsen (18 not out) and Leus du Plooy (10 not out) both his half-centuries in the victory over Yorkshire on Sunday, and the pair saw Derbyshire to a score of 181-2 from their 20 overs in this game.
Chasing 182 to win, Worcestershire lost Riki Wessels in the second over when he was ran out by Alex Hughes after a mix up, with just 13 runs on the board.
On his 23rd birthday, Critchley proved decisive as he claimed the wickets of Martin Guptill (45), Callum Ferguson (37), Wayne Parnell (7) and Ben Cox (15).
The victory was confirmed when Godleman took a brilliant catch off Rampaul on the final ball of the innings to dismiss Mitchell for six.
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire host a hat-trick of Twenty20 matches at The Pattonair County Ground in August. Buy in advance to save. Call 01332 388 101 or buy online.
[twentyticket]
