Derbyshire Falcons face Lancashire Lightning in their opening match of the Vitality Blast on Friday 6 July and we take a look at one-to-watch, Liam Livingstone.
Derbyshire will be aiming to kick off their Blast campaign with a win in the first of two opening home matches at The 3aaa County Ground against Lancashire and Worcestershire Rapids.
After their most successful competition since 2005 last year, during which the hosts claimed eight wins on the way to a home quarter-final, the Falcons will be hoping to overcome Livingstone’s Lancashire side and get off to a strong start.
An inventive and exciting batsman considered as a future England star, Liam Livingstone is set to lead Lancashire Lightning from the front.
The 24-year old arrives after impressing for the England Lions as he top scored with a quick-fire 83 against India A last week.
Livingstone has taken on extra responsibility to captain the visitors in all formats this year, but that has not stopped him from continuing his blistering form into 2018.
He has already showcased his explosive batting ability in white-ball cricket this year, averaging over 60 and scoring at an impressive 122.71 strike rate, including 86 runs at The 3aaa County Ground in June.
Livingstone has tasted international twenty-over action for England as well, while he also offers a reliable spin option for Lancashire.
During his short career to date, he has already claimed a five-wicket haul while he bowled at an impressive economy rate of 4.48 in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
The all-rounder has also been successful in the T20 Blast before, as he was a part of the Lancashire Lightning team that clinched the title at Edgbaston in 2015.
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]
