Derbyshire Falcons all-rounder Shiv Thakor says the players are looking to build on their East Midlands derby victory as they prepare to face Birmingham Bears tonight; 6.30pm start.
The Falcons registered a 34-run victory against their local rivals Notts last time out, and go head-to-head against the reigning NatWest T20 Blast champions tonight, who include New Zealand Captain Brendon McCullum in their side.
Thakor, who has been a prominent member of Derbyshire’s T20 side this season, is looking forward to the challenge of playing the group leaders at Edgbaston.
“We are all looking forward to the game, we’re coming off a brilliant win against Notts and we want to take that momentum into this game now,” said Thakor.
“It was a brilliant performance for the lads to come back and play how we did, it was a perfect performance to beat such a good Notts side. We will take the confidence from that into the Birmingham game.
“We are fully aware just how difficult the game will be. Birmingham are at home and they are the reigning champions, we are looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m sure that if we play our best cricket it will be a really good game. They have got a good pedigree in the tournament and they are probably one of the favourites to win it again this year but as we have said throughout the competition, everyone is beating each other.
“Everyone is looking forward to playing against (Brendon) McCullum, we all want to play against the best players in the world and he is clearly one of them in this format of the game.
“We are really excited about the game, it will be a brilliant occasion and a good test of our skills against McCullum’s and also against a very good Birmingham team.”
Derbyshire Falcons are back in home action as they take on Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the NatWest T20 Blast on Sunday 5 July at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield.
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