Matt Henry, who closed out the three-run win over Yorkshire Vikings at Chesterfield, hopes the result will boost confidence as the team looks to improve each game.
In 2016, Derbyshire Falcons narrowly lost to Yorkshire by one run in both NatWest T20 Blast group matches. But the three-run win at Queen’s Park, under pressure in the final over, marked a turning point in the Falcons’ fortune.
There are, of course, a lot of games still to be played but one of the new recruits, New Zealand all-rounder Henry, appreciates the importance of winning when a match is in the balance.
“Twenty20 matches can go either way, that’s the nature of the beast, and if we can get through tight games like this, it should give us confidence in the competition,” he said.
“You are always trying to develop your game and especially with T20, as a group we want to keep pushing forward.
“We’ve got some good momentum with these first two wins but it is just a start, it’s a long tournament and we’ve got to keep getting slightly better with every game.”
The Falcons now head into a batch of four away NatWest T20 Blast fixtures, starting with Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday, and Henry hopes to build momentum before a return to The 3aaa County Ground.
“We haven’t played our perfect brand but we’re doing it well enough to get over the line which is a great sign for us as a team,” added Henry.
“We’ve made a great start and T20 can be a momentum game so we’ve got to keep pushing forward and keep that momentum.
“If we can do well in these away games it will put us in good stead so when we do get the home games we can make it our fortress and defend it. ”
Henry played a key part in the Yorkshire victory by first helping the Falcons recover with the bat and then bowling the final over when Tim Bresnan was threatening to spoil Derbyshire’s party.
“You have to back your plans and whatever you do, you commit to it,” he added. “It’s an exciting opportunity to have that last over and the chance to win the game and that’s the way you have to look at it.
“I think it’s key with the way games are now that you have to be unpredictable and that’s what allows you to get a couple more dot balls here and there.”
“It was nice to get bumped up the order a bit and contribute. We had to gain some momentum because they had bowled well up front so we had to try and take it to them in the middle and we got to a total that was defendable.”
“John wants me to keep working on my batting so I’m contributing in that way as well and scoring some important runs in the middle.”
NatWest T20 Blast is back this July and August. Save £4 by purchasing your matchday tickets in advance. While further discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Buy online today to secure your place and save.
[twentyticket]
