Matt Critchley says he is looking forward to getting involved in NatWest T20 Blast action again on Friday night against Birmingham Bears at The 3aaa County Ground.
The 19-year-old made his Twenty20 debut this summer and has featured in all three of the Falcons’ NatWest T20 Blast games this summer, claiming combined figures of 3-56 from eleven overs, including career-best 2-19 against Northants Steelbacks.
Back in front of his home crowd, Critchley is relishing the challenge of welcoming Birmingham to Derby as the Falcons look to continue their good start to the competition.
He said: “We’ve played some good cricket in our opening games and we’ve started strongly in the competition. I’ve enjoyed some personal success and feel like I’m bowling well.
“The NatWest T20 Blast is one of the most exciting formats out there at the moment. It’s good to be involved and I want to try and stay in the team, and hopefully we’ll do well this year.
“It wasn’t ideal last Friday with the bad weather because you want to keep playing, especially against Notts. It’s a big game and we are on a roll, but you can’t control the weather and it’s one of those things.
“We’ve been working hard to prepare for the upcoming matches. Practicing, doing some gym work but also trying to recover fitness wise.
“Birmingham have a strong side so we’re preparing and looking at their bowlers and batsmen, and deciding how we are going to be successful and hopefully win both this week’s games.
“We know they have some strong players; Bell, Trott, Chopra and the like but we need to try and find their weaknesses and work out how we go against them.
“We just keep the belief in the squad. Wes got injured and Alex has come in and has done well as skipper.
“We are going well in white-ball cricket and we must just keep going, it’s obviously frustrating not playing but at the end of the day we haven’t lost in five games.”
The Falcons face the Bears in the NatWest T20 Blast this Friday 17 June at The 3aaa County Ground and supporters can book their tickets in advance and save 20%.
Birmingham Bears – Fri 17 June – BUY
Notts Outlaws – Fri 24 June – BUY
Northants Steelbacks – Sun 3 July – BUY
Yorkshire Vikings – Sun 10 July – BUY
Lancashire Lightning – Wed 13 July – BUY
Worcestershire Rapids – Fri 22 July – BUY
