It was against Yorkshire Vikings at a packed-out Queen’s Park, Chesterfield in 2018 when Matt Critchley announced himself as a match-winner for Derbyshire.

The all-rounder, aged just 21 at the time, struck 38 not out off just 17 balls, including 22 in the final over to earn Derbyshire victory against the odds.

Earlier in the rain-hit day, Ravi Rampaul took 4-19 in a display of wily seam bowling, using variations in pace and length to restrict Yorkshire to below 170. Honours even at the interval, Yorkshire were soon on top in Derbyshire’s chase, before Billy Godleman (71 not out) and latterly Critchley produced a fine comeback to hand Derbyshire an unlikely victory, much to the delight of the home support.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Yorkshire ended the powerplay on 48-2, with wickets in hand but a slower than expected run rate, largely thanks to Rampaul’s economical bowling.

David Willey, who had proven himself to be a destructive all-rounder in T20 cricket both at Northants and Yorkshire, looked threatening alongside Kane Williamson. The pair added 72 for the third wicket in little more than six overs, before Wahab Riaz (2-34) removed both of the set batsmen, the New Zealander for 35 and Willey for 55.

Gary Ballance (16) and Tim Bresnan (16) both made starts, but economical final overs from Rampaul, Hardus Viljoen (1-34) and Lockie Ferguson (0-29) meant the hosts finished the stronger, restricting Yorkshire to 166-8.

The Derbyshire chase started in a similar fashion to the Yorkshire innings, the openers struggling to find a gap in the infield to secure lucrative boundaries and get above the required rate.

Godleman, emerging as a highly thought of opening batsman in T20 cricket after two half-centuries at the top of the order in 2017, added 42 for the opening wicket with Calum MacLeod before the latter was caught off Azeem Rafiq for 15.

The run out of Wayne Madsen for just two in the next over dented Derbyshire’s hopes and this was sensed by both the fielding side and the crowd.

Anuj Dal scooped Liam Plunkett for six, but was out soon after, leaving Derbyshire 60-3 in the eighth over and behind the required rate.

It took the experience of Godleman and Gary Wilson (18) to keep Derbyshire in touch, knowing they had the likes of Critchley, Alex Hughes and Viljoen to come, all of whom were capable of clearing the ropes at any given moment. The pair added 35 to take Derbyshire beyond halfway, but when Wilson and Viljoen (5) were back in the pavilion, the Falcons still required 61 from five overs.

Enter Matt Critchley.

Godleman struck the first ball of the 16th over for four and there was a sense that it was down to these two to now get Derbyshire over the line. The run rate was achievable, but the Vikings had bowled well on a tricky surface and their 166-8 quickly seemed like an above-par score on the day.

Plunkett kept the rest of the over tight and a miserly 19th over from Steven Patterson went for just eight runs, leaving Derbyshire 19 runs to win from the final over and Critchley on strike – not out on 16 from 12 balls.

The five deliveries Critchley needed for victory went 2 6 4 6 4 as Bresnan’s length strayed and the 21-year-old struck over mid-wicket and finally down the ground, leaping as he ran past his captain knowing he’d pulled off a special moment in the club’s T20 history.

Match Stats

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