Derbyshire Falcons | T20 Match Preview - 06/07/2024

It’s Derby Day in Leicester! The Foxes take on the Falcons as they head towards the home straight in the race for a quarter-final spot.

Uptonsteel County Ground is the place to be for live sport this afternoon, with two big screens set to show England’s Euro 2024 quarter final clash with Switzerland at 5pm before the T20 drama kicks off at 6:30pm.

After last night’s abandonment at Trent Bridge, Leicestershire sit fourth in the North Group “ and will be boosted by the return of all-rounder Tom Scriven from injury “ while international superstars Jimmy Neesham and Paul Stirling will ensure it rains sixes on their home debuts.

Tickets for this evening's clash are available HERE.

FAMOUS FIXTURE:

In the middle of a home winning streak against the Falcons in the mid-2010s, the Foxes made their mark with a thumping nine-wicket win in 2016’s clash.

In fact, it was two Marks who made their mark, as Pettini (71*) and Cosgrove (52) propelled the side to victory “ reaching 164 inside 16 overs.

It followed a clinical bowling display in which Clint McKay (3/20) and Ben Raine (3/43) put the brakes on Derbyshire’s acceleration at every interval.

DECISIVE DUEL:

The battle of the newest overseas arrivals could go a long way to determining the result on Saturday evening “ with Foxes star Jimmy Neesham set to go head-to-head with Derbyshire debutant Mohammad Amir.

Neesham is a threat with both bat and ball, but it’s his death-hitting that could be decisive for the Foxes today. He has 3,957 T20 runs at 23.98, and knows how to clear the ropes with increasingly aplomb as the innings progresses “ as shown by his international strike rate of 154.5.

Amir is just as dangerous at the death. He has 337 T20 wickets to his name, possessing a devastating yorker and an array of change-ups to keep even the world’s best batters guessing.

SQUAD:

All-rounder Tom Scriven returns from a hamstring injury after six weeks on the sidelines. He’s the only alteration to the squad. Scott Currie will face a late fitness test after missing last night’s trip to Nottingham with a minor niggle.

Leicestershire Foxes: Budinger, Cox+, Currie, Evans, Goldsworthy, Hull, Kimber, Mike, Neesham, Patel*, Scriven, Stirling, Swindells, Walker, Wood.