Ben Slater is looking forward to playing on his hometown ground as he prepares for the start of the Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield borough council.
The festival begins with a NatWest T20 Blast clash versus Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Sunday 5 July (2.30pm start) before the focus then switches to the LV= County Championship the following day when Glamorgan arrive for the start of a four-day fixture.
The festival concludes with the eagerly-awaited local derby against Yorkshire Vikings on Sunday 12 July; 2.30pm.
Slater, who has played for Chesterfield CC since he was a boy, is set to feature in the LV= County Championship fixture versus Glamorgan and says it is always special to return to his home ground.
“The Chesterfield Festival is always nice for me, I have played at Queen’s Park since I was a young lad at the age of six,” said Slater.
“To be there representing my county having come through all the age groups up to the first team and then walking out on my home ground, it’s a special feeling.
“I returned to the side at the Festival last year and I think that gave me the confidence to push on for the remainder of last season. It’s now given me the confidence to kick on this summer.”
Slater is expecting a big crowd once again this year and says that supporters will have a great view of the action.
“Supporters can expect to be close to the action at Queen’s Park, very close. That’s a lot different from The 3aaa County Ground as you are sat on the boundary rope.
“It is a small ground at Chesterfield so fans can expect a lot of boundaries, especially in the NatWest T20 Blast matches. There should be a lot of sixes hit and probably a few wickets too.
“It’s usually a fast-scoring pitch, especially in the middle of the summer when the sun has been out and the grass is short. I always expect to see a lot of runs scored during the festival.
“There’s usually a lot of Yorkshiremen down for the match with Yorkshire as it is closer for them than Derby which makes for a good atmosphere. I am sure it will be packed again, as it always is.”
Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council
NatWest T20 Blast
Derbyshire Falcons vs Northants Steelbacks – Click here to buy tickets
Sunday 5 July ∙ 2.30pm
LV= County Championship
Derbyshire vs Glamorgan – Click here to buy tickets
Monday 6 to Thursday 9 July ∙ 11am
NatWest T20 Blast
Derbyshire Falcons vs Yorkshire Vikings – Click here to buy tickets
Sunday 12 July ∙ 2.30pm
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