Derbyshire name an unchanged 14-man squad for the East Midlands derby against Notts Outlaws on Thursday 2 August; 6.30pm start.
The Falcons will be aiming to secure a fifth straight win in the Vitality Blast and keep their momentum going in the first of back-to-back Vitality Blast fixtures to end the week.
Following two wins over Yorkshire Vikings in three days, Derbyshire travel to face Notts Outlaws, before welcoming Birmingham Bears to The 3aaa County Ground on Friday night, with the chance to extend their winning run.
Wayne Madsen was at his imperious best for the Falcons in the win over Yorkshire at Headingley, striking 66 from 28 balls to claim his 14th Twenty20 half-century for Derbyshire.
Opener Billy Godleman hit back-to-back unbeaten half-centuries against Leicestershire and Yorkshire, giving him a total of 157 Vitality Blast runs and an average of 78.50 in his four matches.
Alex Hughes has been in fine form with the ball throughout the Vitality Blast, picking up 12 wickets at an average of 16.50 and best figures of 4-42.
Lockie Ferguson will continue to provide raw pace and variation which has brought him 12 wickets so far, at an average of 17.25 and an impressive economy rate of 7.13.
Young seamer Alfie Gleadall has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2018 season with a lower back stress fracture. Luis Reece remains absent through a metatarsal injury suffered at the end of May, whilst fast bowlers Will Davis and James Taylor all miss out through injuries.
26. Ben Slater
1. Billy Godleman
20. Matt Critchley
6. Calum MacLeod
77. Wayne Madsen
18. Alex Hughes
14. Gary Wilson
65. Anuj Dal
21. Matt McKiernan
47. Wahab Riaz
7. Hardus Viljoen
69. Lockie Ferguson
50. Safyaan Sharif
41. Ravi Rampaul
Reigning champions Notts Outlaws currently sit fifth in the North Group, tied with Derbyshire on eight points, but one position above on net run rate.
The Outlaws ran out 39-run winners over the Falcons at The 3aaa County Ground earlier in the competition, as captain Dan Christian starred with bat and ball.
The 35-year-old hit 62 off just 40 balls, before claiming three wickets for 34 runs in a man of the match performance.
Unsurprisingly, he leads the batting averages for the Outlaws, with 311 runs at an average of 51.83 and a top-score of 113 not out.
Riki Wessels, Tom Moores and Samit Patel are the only other batsmen to make half-centuries, but all are capable of destructive performances on their day.
Harry Gurney and Ish Sodhi both have 11 wickets as variation and pace off have proved effective for the Outlaws. Christian and Luke Fletcher have six wickets each, while the slow left arm spin of Patel has claimed five wickets.
Outlaws Squad: To be announced.
Calum MacLeod is hoping to carry momentum into the Trent Bridge fixture, before entertaining a big crowd at The 3aaa County Ground with highly competitive and explosive Vitality Blast cricket.
The opening batsman already has 276 Vitality Blast runs to his name this summer, including a fine century in the win over Northants, but he’s hungry for more contributions with the bat.
“After our first win we spoke about getting that momentum. Twenty20 is a funny game, we started with four losses so we’ve got to stay level and treat tomorrow night as just another game.
“We need to keep doing the things we’re doing. Our bowling attack is flying and we want them to continue doing that and then for the batters it’s about getting enough runs and chasing down what they set.
“I still think there’s more, I’m never quite satisfied. But we’re in a nice space and it’s been interesting to see quite a fluid batting order.”
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons are back at home on Friday 3 August against Birmingham Bears. Purchase your tickets in advance and save from £4. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
[twentyticket]
