Derbyshire Falcons entertain the Birmingham Bears at The 3aaa Count Ground on Friday night – we look back at the last time the two teams met at Derby.
The Bears’ last visit to face the Falcons was in 2014, and it was a thriller. The visitors posted 189-5 off their 20 overs with opener William Porterfield top scoring with 74 off 41 balls.
Fellow opener Varun Chopra added 35 as part of 102-run opening stand, before two run-outs accounted for Shoaib Malik (25) and Jonathon Webb (50).
In reply, the Falcons lost Chesney Hughes (0) and Gareth Cross (14) early on with the hosts 36-2 after four overs.
Wes Durston, however, turned the match with a blistering half-century, hitting five fours and four sixes in his 21-ball 53 to move his side to 78-3 in the seventh over.
Wayne Madsen continued the good hitting, scoring 42 off 27 balls, as Derbyshire remained above the required rate on 135-5 in the 14th over.
It was left to middle-lower order to get their side over the line, with Alex Hughes striking 24 off 10 balls, Scott Elstone hitting 14 off nine and Tony Palladino with an unbeaten run-a-ball 14.
David Wainwright, 12 not out, hit the winning runs as the Falcons completed a famous victory, on 193-7, with six balls to spare.
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
