Derbyshire have named a 14-man squad for the final Royal London One-Day Cup group match against Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge on Thursday 7 June; 2pm start.
The Falcons will face the Outlaws in a crucial final game that could decide whether either team progresses to the knockout stages of the competition.
For Derbyshire to progress, they need to beat Nottinghamshire and either; Worcestershire beat Warwickshire, Warwickshire beat Worcestershire and have a better run-rate than Worcestershire or Northamptonshire beat Yorkshire.
Billy Godleman will remain at the top of the order following his impressive 75 against Lancashire Lightning which saw him become the competition’s leading run-scorer with 505 after seven matches. The captain averages 84.16 and has two centuries and three fifties to his name.
Godleman will be joined by Ben Slater as he looks to continue his fine form which sees him also feature in the top ten run scorers.
Hardus Viljoen is also expected to form part of a strong pace attack after his strong performance with bat and ball against Lancashire. The South Africa international took 2-55 from his ten overs, while he smashed four sixes in a quick-fire 50 from 34 balls.
Luis Reece remains unavailable after it was confirmed that he is to have surgery on a broken metatarsal in his right foot, sustained against Yorkshire Vikings in May.
1. Billy Godleman
26. Ben Slater
77. Wayne Madsen
18. Alex Hughes
19. Callum Brodrick
20. Matt Critchley
14. Gary Wilson
11. Daryn Smit
7. Hardus Viljoen
41. Ravi Rampaul
74. Duanne Olivier
75. Hamidullah Qadri
8. Dan Wheeldon
17. Alfie Gleadall
Notts Outlaws host Derbyshire in a must-win match for both sides following the home side’s vital win over Durham on Sunday in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
A Steven Mullaney inspired Nottinghamshire side strode out 31-run winners at Chester-Le-Street after the captain lead by example to strike 124 from 117 balls that included 14 boundaries, as well as taking 2-42 from 10 overs.
Mullaney will captain a star-studded side against the Falcons as Alex Hales returns from the Indian Premier League looking to rekindle some of last year’s form that saw him hit the highest score of the competition with 187 from 167 balls to help the Outlaws to victory in the final.
Despite injury to key bowler Harry Gurney, Jake Ball is likely to lead Nottinghamshire’s attack following his call-up to the England one-day squad to face Australia. The fast bowler is the Outlaws’ top wicket-taker with ten at an average of 31.4.
Ball is likely to be supported by young bowler Matt Carter who has been the pick of the bowlers in the last three games, following his 4-47 against Durham. Carter has taken nine wickets and boasts an impressive 13.55 average as well as a 4.06 economy rate so far in the competition.
Notts Outlaws Squad: Chris Nash, Steven Mullaney (c), Riki Wessels, Alex Hales, Matt Milnes, Luke Fletcher, Matt Carter, Samit Patel, Tom Moores (wk), Ross Taylor, Jake Ball, Billy Root, Jack Blatherwick.
Opening batsman Ben Slater looks forward to what he hopes will be a high-scoring match in a crucial clash away to Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.
The 26-year old knows nothing other than a win at Trent Bridge will do for Derbyshire and Slater says the Falcons take confidence from their impressive performances so far in the campaign.
He said: “I think both sides know that they haven’t got anything to lose really, both sides need to go out there and get a win so it should be an attacking game.
“We were disappointed with the result on Sunday, but we’ve been doing well and playing some good cricket.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position to qualify so hopefully we can do that tomorrow and get through to the knockout stages.”
Slater is also confident that he can continue his fine form on a traditionally high-scoring Trent Bridge wicket.
He said: “Hopefully we can get another good wicket tomorrow and I can carry my form to score some runs for Derbyshire.
“In white-ball cricket me and Billy [Godleman] have had a good partnership, we know each other’s game and complement each other well.
“If one of us get off to a quick start, it takes the pressure off at the other end so hopefully that partnership continues tomorrow as well.”
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.
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