England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Director of Cricket, Andrew Strauss, praised a ‘brilliant’ performance from Matt Critchley after his blistering 64 for North in Barbados.
Critchley’s quick-fire knock came off just 37 balls, including four fours and fours sixes, as North claimed victory in level the three-match North-South series, with one game to go.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, The Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show, the former England Test captain says he was impressed by Critchley’s knock and the North-South series was a great opportunity for young players to show the England hierarchy what they can do.
Strauss said: “Matt Critchley came out and batted brilliantly for the North side. That’s a guy we’ve not seen a lot of before playing at Derbyshire. He smashed it around.
“The North-South series has really built significantly this year. There is a real rivalry between the two sides and there’s a desperation on the pitch.
“For a lot of the guys, it’s their first opportunity to show what they can do.
“This North-South series is really about trying to find the right players for the future, and with our new scouting system, we will be sure we find the right players.
“It’s a big opportunity outside of the Lions programme. We can only pick so many people on the Lions programme, so it’s another opportunity to play high-quality 50-over cricket and for young talent to show what they can do.”
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons host seven Twenty20 games this July and August. Purchase your tickets in advance and save from £4. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
[twentyticket]
