Fynn Hudson-Prentice is sure Derbyshire will be spurred on by the added expectation in this year’s Vitality Blast.
The all-rounder made his T20 debut for the club last season, after joining earlier in the campaign, and he quickly adapted to the format, claiming 11 wickets as the Falcons reaches Finals Day for the first time.
Twenty20 Head Coach, Dominic Cork, has committed for the 2020 season, while Australia’s Sean Abbott and Ben McDermott will both be available for the Vitality Blast.
With only three teams having won more Vitality Blast matches in the last three seasons than Derbyshire, the county are no longer underestimated, and Hudson-Prentice believes the team will take the added expectation in their stride.
“It might have been unexpected, but there was a sense last year that we deserved to be (at Finals Day), we worked really hard and won a lot of games,” said Hudson-Prentice.
“Now it’s about pushing that forward. We have a couple of great additions with Sean Abbott and Ben McDermott, and they will be very powerful for us.
“The expectation is obviously going to be higher this year, supporters will be looking at what we did last season, but I think we can handle that. We want to go one or two steps further, because we want to get to the final, and then win it.”
The first two home fixtures of Derbyshire’s 2019 Vitality Blast campaign were sold out, as the Falcons took on Yorkshire at Queen’s Park, before hosting Notts at The Pattonair County Ground, while there were good crowds in Derby throughout the competition.
Hudson-Prentice enjoyed performing in front of larger home support, and hopes to see even more at matches this season.
“Standing out on boundary in front of a few thousand people was quite surreal, especially compared to the first-class games I had played before.
“It’s so different when you’re playing in front of your home crowd, they don’t get on your back as much and they give you that extra boost,” he added.
“Everyone was telling me that the game against Notts at Derby was the one I had to look forward too, unfortunately I dropped a catch in front of the home crowd but the atmosphere was fantastic, it’s great to play in front of big crowds at your home ground.
“We have so many great supporters, who come to every game and it’s nice when you see so many familiar faces around the ground. Hopefully we can get a few more people down here and keep winning for them in the Vitality Blast.”
Tickets for this year’s Vitality Blast go on general sale on Monday 2 March. Register your interest to be notified when they are available.
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.
