After Twenty20 Head Coach, Dominic Cork signed a new deal with the club, we take a look at the numbers behind Derbyshire’s record-breaking 2019 Vitality Blast campaign.
On their way to a maiden Finals Day appearance, Derbyshire finished third in the North Group, before beating Gloucestershire by seven wickets in the quarter-final at Bristol to reach the Edgbaston showpiece.
Support
More than 18,000 supporters turned out in force to back the Falcons throughout the group stage, and they witnessed some breathtaking performances from Billy Godleman’s men.
A third-successive sell out against Yorkshire at Queen’s Park, during the BRM Solicitors Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, was followed-up with the first home sell-out against Notts Outlaws since 2013.
The East Midlands Derby may have ended in defeat, but your support helped to create a memorable atmosphere at The Pattonair County Ground, on one of a number of special nights throughout the season.
Number of wins
The Falcons picked up seven wins throughout the group stage, before beating Gloucestershire to progress to Finals Day. Three of those victories came at home, with Yorkshire Vikings, Worcestershire Rapids and Northants Steelbacks all defeated in Derbyshire.
Eight wins in 2019 means that Derbyshire equalled their own record for Twenty20 wins in a season, which was set with qualification for the quarter-finals in 2017.
Biggest margin of victory
The Falcons picked up a number of comprehensive victories during the 2019 Vitality Blast, with Derbyshire able to comfortably win their final three group matches, as well as the quarter-final.
When batting first, the 55-run win against Yorkshire at Emerald Headingley stands as the greatest margin of victory, as the Falcons secured a sixth-straight victory over the Vikings.
Derbyshire won two matches by nine wickets and they occurred in the space of three days. Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen struck half-centuries as the Falcons defeated Northants Steelbacks and Leicestershire Foxes to all-but qualify for the knockout stages.
Total runs scored
Across their 14 matches played in the competition, the Falcons scored a total of 2,122 runs at an average of 151.57 runs per match. Their highest score came in the win over Yorkshire at Emerald Headingley, when Derbyshire made 207-5.
Top individual score
Billy Godleman’s 92 against Worcestershire Rapids at The Pattonair County Ground was the highest-individual score for a Derbyshire player in T20 cricket last season.
Godleman scored four half-centuries throughout the competition as he captained the side to their maiden Finals Day appearance.
Most runs
Having also scored four half-centuries in this year’s Vitality Blast, Wayne Madsen topped the run-scoring charts for Derbyshire with 464 runs at an average of 46.40.
Madsen’s top-score of 69 came against Lancashire Lightning in the final group game, while he also top-scored with 47 in the victory over Gloucestershire.
Most wickets
Ravi Rampaul finished as the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 23 dismissals, breaking the Derbyshire record for Twenty20 wickets in a season.
With an average of 15.74, and an economy rate of 6.70, Rampaul was in terrific form throughout the campaign, with his best figures of 3-17 coming against Northants Steelbacks.
Best bowling figures
Despite Rampaul’s glut of wickets, Logan van Beek claimed the best figures of the campaign when he took 4-17 against Yorkshire, during the victory at Emerald Headingley.
It was a career-best performance for the fast-bowler, as the Falcons completed the double over the Vikings.
Vitality Blast Pass! Back the Falcons in 2020 and watch every home Vitality Blast group game for just £89. Buy now and save over 30%. Derbyshire Falcons: Underestimated No More.
