Derbyshire name a 13-man squad for their Vitality Blast match against Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston, starting at 7pm on Wednesday.
Billy Godleman struck an unbeaten 70 as the Falcons opened their campaign with a win over Yorkshire at Queen’s Park, and he will be hoping to keep that momentum going in a top order that also includes Luis Reece, Wayne Madsen and Fynn Hudson-Prentice.
Leus du Plooy and Daryn Smit continue in the middle-order, while all-rounders Darren Stevens, Alex Hughes and Matt Critchley are all named in the squad.
Slow left-arm bowler, Mark Watt took 4-19 on his T20 debut for Derbyshire against Yorkshire, while pace bowlers Ravi Rampaul and Logan van Beek also claimed two apiece at Queen’s Park.
1. Billy Godleman
10. Luis Reece
77. Wayne Madsen
27. Tom Lace
76. Leus du Plooy
18. Alex Hughes
20. Matt Critchley
3. Darren Stevens
11. Daryn Smit
33. Fynn Hudson-Prentice
37. Logan van Beek
51. Mark Watt
14. Ravi Rampaul
Birmingham Bears will be looking to make it back-to-back home wins, as both sides head into the game undefeated.
Having beaten Leicestershire Foxes by seven wickets, the Bears come into this game with three points from their opening two fixtures.
Ashton Agar top-scored with an unbeaten 41, while loan-signing, Fidel Edwards took 4-22 as they secured their first win in the competition.
With the likes of Jeetan Patel and Sam Hain in their ranks, the Bears can be confident with both the bat and the ball, while Ed Pollock and Michael Burgess can score runs at the top of the order.
Billy Godleman is pleased with Derbyshire’s positive start to the Vitality Blast, but says there are plenty of challenges ahead for the Falcons.
Godleman top-scored with an unbeaten 70 in the win over Yorkshire at Queen’s Park, with Mark Watt, Ravi Rampaul, Logan van Beek and Leus du Plooy all producing encouraging performances.
The Falcons captain was delighted to begin the competition with a win, but says that the match at Edgbaston represents a new challenge for Derbyshire.
“We have said a lot in the last few years that in the north group, you have hard games each week. What’s important is for us to enjoy 24-48 hours away from the game,” said Godleman.
“That is so important when the games are coming thick and fast. Every time that we play, we want make little improvements on how we have played previously.
“You would always rather start well than not, but it is about accumulating a number wins over the 14 matches. We have started well but we will need plenty more.”
Follow the action ball-by-ball on the Derbyshire County Cricket Club website with our interactive Match Centre.
Improved for the 2019 season, the centre will include a full scorecard, ball-by-ball updates and clips of all the key moments.
Click HERE to access the page during play.
Local Rivals Collide! The East Midlands Derby against Notts Outlaws resumes on Friday 26 July; 7pm start at The Pattonair County Ground. Tickets selling fast. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
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