Derbyshire take on Lancashire at Blackpool in the 74th scheduled meeting in limited overs matches since they first met at Old Trafford in the 65-over Gillette Cup competition in 1963.
Heritage Officer, David Griffin, looks at the statistical background to the game.
Lancashire have been Derbyshire’s opponents more than any other county in this form of cricket. This has resulted from their frequent pairing together – initially in the old Benson & Hedges Cup zonal groups, and latterly with the regional groupings for the Royal London One-Day Cup.
While Lancashire have the upper hand in these contests, with 40 wins to Derbyshire’s 22 with 11 matches providing no result, Derbyshire followers will doubtless remember that great day at Lord’s in July 1993 (pictured above), when, without an overseas player, the might of Lancashire was defeated by six runs to secure the Benson & Hedges Cup.
Lancashire were considered the one-day cup kings of English cricket, and rightly so with a side containing Michael Atherton, Neil Fairbrother, Philip DeFreitas and the great Wasim Akram, and when Derbyshire slumped to 66-4 after 16 overs – Kim Barnett, Peter Bowler, John Morris and Chris Adams all out – it looked as if Lancashire would triumph with ease.
However, Dominic Cork – just 21 years old – played one of the great limited overs final innings, scoring 92 not out, and with support from Tim O’Gorman and Karl Krikken saw Derbyshire to 252-6 from their 55 overs.
Lancashire, for whom Fairbrother made an undefeated 87, looked in control at 184-4, but the unsung Allan Warner (3-31) and the relative novice, Frank Griffith, who bowled the final, tense over and conceded only four runs, saw Derbyshire to a memorable victory.
This latest game sees Derbyshire visit Blackpool for the first time since July 2002, when the hosts won by one wicket in a Norwich Union League fixture. This is the only previous occasion that Derbyshire has played limited overs cricket at Blackpool, although they played nine first-class games there between 1928 and 1994.
Derbyshire’s highest team score in these matches is 288-5 at Derby in 2008, which secured a 100-run victory for the home side, the last occasion they beat Lancashire. Steve Stubbings and Chris Rogers with an opening partnership of 150 runs were the match-winners on that occasions.
There have been three centuries scored by Derbyshire players, two by Kim Barnett and one by Dean Jones; plus five instances of five wickets in an innings by Mike Hendrick, Steve Oldham, Dominic Cork, Kim Barnett and Tony Palladino.
Supporters can save 20% by purchasing their Royal London One-Day Cup matchday tickets in advance of the day of the game. Buy online, over the phone by calling 01332 388 101 or in person at The 3aaa County Ground.
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