Building momentum key for Barnes

Ed Barnes says Derbyshire are determined to build some momentum and pick up points in their final six Vitality Blast group fixtures. 

The Falcons are currently second from bottom in the North Group, having seen games against Leicestershire Foxes and Durham abandoned due to rain, while they were beaten at Emerald Headingley by both Yorkshire Vikings and Lancashire Lightning.

Despite the defeat to Lancashire, Barnes enjoyed an impressive Vitality Blast debut, picking up two wickets in a narrow loss, and he says the squad are looking to battle their way into the quarter-final contention in their remaining Twenty20 games.

“We said during lockdown when it was blue skies and 30 degrees that as soon as it came to August and the season started rain was probably going to play a part and unfortunately that’s two games abandoned now,” Barnes told BBC Radio Derby.

“We knew looking at the radar that it was coming but we just wanted to get out and start playing. It’s been massively frustrating with two losses and two abandoned but it’s a funny thing this competition with games coming thick and fast, a bit of momentum and things can change so quickly.

“That’s what we’ll be looking for, with Lancashire on Friday and then going into the four-day game a bit of momentum could be massive for us.

“There are six games to go and if you win all of them then you put yourself in with a chance. I think all you can do at this point is just take it game by game, put all your efforts in and see where it gets you.”

Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons return to Twenty20. Follow every game live on our match centre at derbyshireccc.com. Derbyshire Falcons: Underestimated No More.