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Squad named for T20 Blast opener

Friday 20th May 2016
& News
Written by Danny Painter

Jimmy Neesham is set to make his Derbyshire debut after he was named as part of a 13-man squad for the NatWest T20 Blast opener at Lancashire Lightning on Saturday; 2.30pm start.

New Zealand international Neesham, who joins up with Otago teammates Hamish Rutherford and Neil Broom, arrived in Derby earlier this week ahead of his spell with the Falcons.

Neesham was part of a strong Second XI side who beat Unicorns in two Twenty20 fixtures on Friday. The 25-year-old hit 65 off 41 balls, while Alex Hughes scored 54, Hamish Rutherford 35 and Captain Wes Durston struck 32.

Neesham said: “It’s all about the game on Saturday. I’m looking forward to taking on Lancashire with another of the Otago boys [Neil Wagner] on board for them as well so that should be interesting.

“I spoke to Neil and Hamish about the lads here and they said it was a great set-up. Graeme being a renowned bowling coach was also definitely one of the factors that made me decide to come here.

“It looks like I’ll be bowling in the middle and at the death and batting in the top six so it’s a pretty significant workload but one I’m used to in short-form cricket. Hopefully I can make a good contribution and we can make a good start on Saturday.”

Derbyshire squad to face Lancashire

3. Wes Durston (Captain)
72. Hamish Rutherford
3. Neil Broom
77. Wayne Madsen
5. Jimmy Neesham
22. Chesney Hughes
10. Scott Elstone
18. Alex Hughes
57. Shiv Thakor
20. Matt Critchley
23. Tom Poynton
36. Ben Cotton
7. Andy Carter

Opposition

Reigning NatWest T20 Blast champions, Lancashire Lightning, will be attempting to become the first side to successfully retain the Twenty20 crown.

They will boast an experienced line-up which includes another Otago star, Neil Wagner, but former Derbyshire man Martin Guptill will not be available due to his commitments with Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

England wicketkeeper, Jos Buttler, will also be unavailable as he continues his spell in the IPL, also with Mumbai Indians.

Lightning Batsman, Karl Brown said: “Martin and Jos are great players. But as a team we’ve been brilliant over the last few years, and that’s what we live by – the team side of it comes first.

“Individual players of Jos’ standard are brilliant, but it’s always down to what the team does. It’s always great to have those sort of players available, don’t get me wrong, but we treat it as a bonus.

“We believe that there are lads in our second team who can come in and do really well as well.”

Matchday LIVE

Click HERE to keep up-to-date with the game via our new Matchday LIVE page, sponsored by Showcase Cinemas de Lux.
You can also follow live updates on Twitter (@DerbyshireCCC) by using the #LANvDER hashtag, plus updates will be available on Facebook throughout the match.

Supporters can also listen to live ball-by-ball commentary with BBC Radio Derby online HERE.

Derbyshire Falcons host their opening home NatWest T20 Blast fixture vs Leicestershire Foxes on Friday 3 June. Buy your tickets in advance to secure your seat and save 20%.

Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 3 June – BUY NOW
Birmingham Bears – Friday 17 June – BUY NOW
Notts Outlaws – Friday 24 June – BUY NOW
Northants Steelbacks – Sunday 3 July – BUY NOW
Yorkshire Vikings – Sunday 10 July – BUY NOW
Lancashire Lightning – Wednesday 13 July – BUY NOW
Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 22 July – BUY NOW

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