Gary Wilson has called on his side to bounce back from Sunday’s defeat at Edgbaston as the Falcons head into their first fixture at Derby on Tuesday night.
Bears all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme smashed 65 not out off just 28 balls, before four wickets for Grant Elliott helped the hosts claim a 20-run win on Sunday afternoon.
Wilson said: “It’s disappointing to lose any game and 197 I thought that was slightly above par, but saying that we didn’t bat as well as could have done. We’ve been playing really well so far in this competition with the bat and we weren’t quite on it today.
“Having a chat afterwards, we thought 185 might have been about par then it becomes a different chase but all in all were not going to hide behind it, it just wasn’t a great day at the office.
“I don’t think you can look deep into keeping the wickets in hand as you could then take away the freedom of the players. In an ideal world, we could have gave it a bit more of a nudge in the last few overs but I think they were pretty comfortable from around about 15 overs.
“We have eight to play, and I’d have thought than if we win 7 or 8 then we might be alright but the goal is to qualify and we are a work in progress for sure. If we play to our ability we could be there or thereabouts.”
TABLE: Here is how the North Group looks. It's tight at the top. Next up is Lancashire on Tuesday.
Get behind the Falcons.#DERvLAN pic.twitter.com/BihWY8VVX3
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) July 23, 2017
Derbyshire welcome Lancashire Lightning, who sit two points above the Falcons, to Derby on Tuesday night in the first NatWest T20 Blast game at The 3aaa County Ground.
It’s the first of three home games in a week, and Wilson is looking forward to going out in front of a passionate home support.
He added: “We want to turn The 3aaa County Ground into a place where people don’t want to come and play. If we perform it becomes a place where we know how to win games of cricket and that will give us an extra edge.
“The crowd can definitely make it for the players. Support really counts, there is nothing better than a home crowd getting really behind you and once you get off to a good start or your batsman hits quick runs you can hear the crowd and feel them backing you all the way.”
Derbyshire face Lancashire Lighting on Tuesday 25 July, before they play Northants Steelbacks on Friday 28 July and Leicestershire Foxes in our Kids Go Free fixture on Sunday 30 July.
Tickets for all NatWest T20 Blast fixtures at The 3aaa County Ground are on sale now. Buy in advance & save.
Lancashire Lightning – Tue 25 July – BUY
Northants Steelbacks – Fri 28 July – BUY
Leicestershire Foxes – Sun 30 July – BUY
Notts Outlaws – Fri 4 August – LIMITED
Durham Jets – Tue 15 August – BUY
Worcestershire Rapids – Fri 18 August – BUY
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]
