New NatWest T20 Blast Captain Wes Durston returns from injury to lead the Derbyshire Falcons against Yorkshire Vikings in the competition opener at Headingley tonight; 7pm start.
Durston, who was named the new Twenty20 Captain in March, has proved his fitness to be named in Graeme Welch’s 13-man squad after he missed the last two LV= County Championship fixtures.
South Africa batsman Hashim Amla is included in the squad with batsman Billy Godleman who returns from suspension. Newly-named NatWest T20 Blast Vice-captain Tom Poynton features in the squad and is set to make his first competitive appearance of the new season.
But Wayne Madsen, who was injured during the final day of the LV= County Championship fixture versus Northamptonshire, and Nathan Rimmington, who has a finger injury, both miss out. Tony Palladino, Wayne White and Jonathan Clare are also all unavailable through injury.
DERBYSHIRE FALCONS squad to play Yorkshire Vikings:
3. Wes Durston (capt)
99. Hashim Amla
22. Chesney Hughes
57. Shiv Thakor
1. Billy Godleman
18. Alex Hughes
10. Scott Elstone
23. Tom Poynton
27. Tom Knight
21. David Wainwright
36. Ben Cotton
4. Mark Footitt
14. Greg Cork
Yorkshire Vikings will have hopes of progressing through the group stages in this year’s NatWest T20 Blast, boasting a squad featuring a host of England and overseas talent.
Yorkshire have never won this competition, the 2012 final loss to Hampshire being the closest they have come to silverware.
England internationals Jonny Bairstow, Tim Bresnan, Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid all feature in Jason Gillespie’s 13-man squad for tomorrow night’s fixture.
Fellow England players Joe Root and Gary Ballance are on international duty and therefore unavailable, as is Adam Lyth who could make his Test debut against New Zealand next week.
Australian big-hitter Glen Maxwell will play his part in the competition later on in the summer, while New Zealand batting all-rounder Kane Williamson is away with his national side’s Test squad.
YORKSHIRE VIKINGS squad to face Derbyshire Falcons:
21. Jonny Bairstow
70. Jack Brooks
16. Tim Bresnan
7. Matthew Fisher
26. Andrew Gale (capt)
4. Andrew Hodd
34. Jack Leaning
14. Alex Lees
17. Steven Patterson
28. Liam Plunkett
27. Richard Pyrah
3. Adil Rashid
35. Will Rhodes
You can follow live updates on Twitter (@DerbyshireCCC) by using the #YORvDER hashtag, plus regular updates will be available on Facebook throughout the match.
Supporters can also listen to live ball-by-ball commentary with BBC Radio Derby online.
There’s still time for supporters to purchase Membership, Six Packs and matchday tickets for the 2015 season; either over the phone by calling 0871 350 1870, online HERE or in person at The 3aaa County Ground; Nottingham Road, Derby, DE21 6DA.
