Derbyshire Falcons welcome Northants Steelbacks to The 3aaa County Ground on Friday (7pm start) – we take a look at one to watch, Ben Duckett.
The England international is the Steelbacks’ top-scorer in the competition so far, with 192 from five innings. Once he gets in he has the power and ability to score all round the wicket, with knocks of 69 and 72 so far this campaign, the former against the Falcons.
The 22-year-old had a transformative 2016, hitting career-best scores in all three formats, leading to an England call-up. Since then he has grown his reputation as a big hitter and will fit into a Steelbacks top-order which also includes the likes of Adam Rossington, Richard Levi and Alex Wakely.
Gary Wilson’s men will be looking to keep Duckett quiet this time round in Derby, in front of another good crowd.
Derbyshire Falcons earned a commanding 35-run victory over Lancashire Lightning on Tuesday in front of over 3,500 spectators at The 3aaa County Ground and Wilson wants to see more packed crowds in Derby.
“The crowd can definitely make it for the players,” said Wilson. “Support really counts, there is nothing better than a home crowd getting really behind you and once you get off to a good start or your batsman hits quick runs you can hear the crowd and feel them backing you all the way.”
Luis Reece,who has hit 287 runs in the competition so far, added: “We’re halfway through the tournament now and we’ve probably got half the amount of wins we need to qualify so this week is quite big for us.
“If we can get a couple of wins from these home games that will set us up quite nicely but we’ve got to keep improving because we know we can tighten up in a few areas.”
Derbyshire face Northants Steelbacks on Friday 28 July (7pm start) and Leicestershire Foxes in our Kids Go Free fixture on Sunday 30 July.
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