Derbyshire Falcons | T20 Match Preview - 30/06/2023

Leicestershire start their final weekend of T20 action with a trip to The Incora County Ground, battling Derbyshire Falcons on Friday evening.

The Foxes have had an underwhelming T20 campaign, but will be aiming to go out on a high. Louis Kimber returns to the squad, while Rehan Ahmed misses out to England duty.

The Falcons sit two places above the Foxes, but still have qualification aspirations, trailing fourth spot by two points with two games to play.

Last Time We Met:

Derbyshire edged a thriller at Uptonsteel County Ground earlier this month, with the Foxes edged out by two runs in a chase that went down to the final ball.

Wayne Madsen struck a sublime 109 not out from just 61 deliveries, with the visitors checked only by spin “ Callum Parkinson and Rehan Ahmed each taking two, Colin Ackermann with the other.

There were contributions of 30 (20b) from Nick Welch and 44 (28b) from Rishi Patel in reply, but it was Ackermann (59*, 38b) and Ahmed (28*, 14b) who so nearly got Leicestershire over the line.

Head-to-Head:

Lewis Hill has only featured four times so far in the 2023 Blast, but his contributions with the bat have been telling.

The Foxes’ club captain has averaged 41, striking at 130.85, anchoring admirably at the top of the order alongside big-hitter, Nick Welch. His return from a hand injury could provide the perfect platform for the side to pick up a couple of wins as the group stage concludes.

Brooke Guest has also had a solid campaign for his side. The Falcons ‘keeper has missed just one match, averaging an impressive 68.33 whilst possessing a strike rate of above 150. If the Foxes manage to get through a healthy top order containing the likes of Haider Ali and Madsen, they’ll know there’s still dangerous striking to come.

Squad:

Louis Kimber has recovered from a hand injury sustained while fielding against the Outlaws ten days ago, while Roman Walker is also fit again, entering the T20 squad for the first time this season.

Rehan Ahmed is on Ashes duty with England, while Harry Swindells also drops out of the 14-strong squad.

Leicestershire Foxes: Ackermann, Barnes, Budinger, Finan, Handscomb*+, Hill, Kimber, Mulder, Parkinson, Patel, Salisbury, Scriven, Walker, Welch.