Derbyshire Falcons name an unchanged 14-man squad for the local derby against Notts Outlaws in the NatWest T20 Blast at Trent Bridge on Friday 21 July; 6.30pm start.
Billy Godleman and Matt Critchley are set to continue at the top of the order after their opening stand of 64 in the win against Worcestershire Rapids in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Wednesday.
Both are averaging over 25 in the competition so far and are likely to be followed by Luis Reece and Wayne Madsen, who is averaging 63.
Falcons Captain Gary Wilson adds experience to the middle order alongside all-rounders Alex Hughes and Matt Henry. After making his debut against the Rapids, Callum Brodrick is also in line to start after the middle-order batsman impressed for the Second XI this season.
The squad contains plenty of spin options with Hamidullah Qadri, Imran Tahir, Matt Critchley and Wayne Madsen all included.
Tahir is currently the Club’s joint leading wicket-taker with seven wickets at an average of 15 and economy of 6.75.
Hardus Viljoen also has seven wickets to his name and removed the dangerous Joe Clarke against the Rapids, sparking a Derbyshire fightback in the first innings.
Wilson’s side will be looking to continue the fine form they showed at New Road and pull off an upset against last year’s beaten semi-finalists.
1. Billy Godleman
10. Luis Reece
23. Tom Wood
77. Wayne Madsen
18. Alex Hughes
9. Gary Wilson
2. Callum Brodrick
11. Daryn Smit
20. Matt Critchley
21. Matt Henry
7. Hardus Viljoen
36. Ben Cotton
75. Hamidullah Qadri
99. Imran Tahir
Notts Outlaws have only played two matches compared to the Falcons’ four and sit eighth in the North Group after losing to Yorkshire Vikings and Birmingham Bears.
Steven Mullaney has impressed with the bat so far, hitting 85 runs at a strike rate over 170. Added to his medium pace bowling, he will be a threat in both innings for the hosts.
Fellow all-rounder Samit Patel has taken two wickets in as many matches, with an economy rate under 6.5. He is likely to be the second spinner spinner alongside Ish Sodhi. The India leg spinner has taken 61 wickets in 57 domestic Twenty20 matches.
Former England international batsman Michael Lumb was this week forced into retirement from cricket due to an ankle injury. He leaves a strong top order which is set to include Alex Hales and Riki Wessels.
Outlaws Squad: Taylor, Mullaney, Wessels, Hales, Gurney, Wood, Patel, Moores, Hutton, Ball, Christian, Sodhi, Root.
Last time out Derbyshire Falcons beat Worcestershire Rapids by seven wickets and Gary Wilson heaped praise on the experienced batsmen, Wayne Madsen and Billy Godleman.
Godleman hit 70 and Madsen an unbeaten 58 as the Falcons claimed their third win from their first four matches, propelling them to joint top of the NatWest T20 Blast North Group.
“Credit to Billy [Godleman] and Wayne [Madsen] for the way they played. I didn’t actually think they bowled that badly apart from possibly giving Wayne a little bit too much width,” he said.
“I knew Wayne was a good player but probably didn’t realise how good he was until I played with him. He has been unbelievable so far in this T20 competition and it was great to see Billy strike the ball the way he did.
Wilson added: “It was some of the cleanest hitting you will see. It was a pretty special innings and we know he has got that in him. It’s a good start for us in the competition but we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
NatWest T20 Blast is back this July and August. Save £4 by purchasing your matchday tickets in advance. While further discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Buy online today to secure your place and save.
[twentyticket]
