Career-best figures of 4-35 by Jimmy Neesham helped Derbyshire Falcons secure a six-wicket victory over the Lancashire Lightning on Wednesday evening at The 3aaa County Ground.
Hamish Rutherford continued his good form with the bat in the competition by scoring 47 runs, whilst Wes Durston hit 51 off 34 balls as the hosts successfully chased down 168 to win.
The target had been set after the Lightning amassed 167-9 from their 20 overs, after Alviro Petersen had whacked 79 for them, before Neesham took control in the final over when four wickets fell, three to Neesham.
Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bowl first. Matt Critchley bowled 2-20 to complement Neesham’s man of the match performance in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
The Lightning made a good start through openers Petersen and Luis Reece who added 68 for the opening wicket, before 19-year-old Critchley made the breakthrough.
The leg-spinner claimed two wickets in quick succession to remove Reece (32) and then Karl Brown (4) to slow the visitors’ early progress to 82-2 at the midway point.
Petersen continued on his way to top score with 79 for Lancashire, off 49 balls and with five fours and three sixes, but wickets fell around him as the Falcons pegged them back.
The hosts ended well conceding just seven runs in the final two overs. Four wickets fell in the final, three from Neesham, who finished with four wickets and a run out as the hosts restricted the Lightning to 167-9.
Chasing 168 for the win the Falcons got off to a flying start with Rutherford and Durston putting on a partnership of 75 before the Kiwi was caught by Stephen Parry off George Edwards.
Chesney Hughes then picked up where Rutherford left off and posted a score of 22 before Neesham’s unbeaten 23.
Neil Broom and Wayne Madsen both contributed eight apiece as Derbyshire secured the two points to take them fifth in the NatWest T20 Blast North Division.
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