Derbyshire Falcons | T20 Vitality Blast Match Preview | 01/06/2024

There’s no rest for the wicked. After a thumping opening round victory over the Vikings on Friday night, the Foxes head to Edgbaston for ‘Blast Off’.

Leicestershire will be bidding to make it two wins from two as they face East Midlands rivals Derbyshire Falcons “ who will be looking to put right a final-ball defeat at Northants on Thursday.

The Sky cameras will be in town for ‘Blast Off’ “ the first time Alfonso Thomas’ side have played in front of them since a certain day at Trent Bridge last September…

FAMOUS FIXTURE:

The two sides previously met in front of the Sky cameras in August 2019, when Colin Ackermann inspired the Foxes to a 55-run win at The County Ground.

Leicestershire’s skipper hit 28, while opener Mark Cosgrove crunched a quickfire 38 as the side set Derbyshire 150 to win.

A rampant start from the Foxes attack settled all nerves, reducing the Falcons to 24/6 at the end of the Powerplay. Ackermann took 3/9 from his four overs and ran out Darren Stevens to help his team canter to victory. Derbyshire all out for 94.

DECISIVE DUEL:

Two of the competition’s biggest hitters go head-to-head at Edgbaston, as Louis Kimber faces off against Ross Whiteley in the middle order.

Batting at four, Kimber whacked 26 from just 14 balls in Friday’s win over Yorkshire “ taking his T20 total runs to 346 at an average of 23.06. It’s his strike rate that is most eye-catching however, with 157.99 evidence of his brute power with the blade.

A T20 veteran now back where it all started, Whiteley’s white-ball prowess has never been in question. With 210 Blast appearances, and 3,208 runs, to his name, he also packs a punch. The 35-year-old strikes at 136.51 and has a remarkably similar average to Kimber “ shading his returns by 0.01.

SQUAD:

Following Friday night’s win at Uptonsteel County Ground, the Foxes name an unchanged 14-strong squad for the trip to Edgbaston.

Leicestershire Foxes: Ahmed, Budinger, Cox+, Currie, Goldsworthy, Handscomb*, Holland, Hull, Kimber, Mike, Mulder, Patel, Swindells, Walker.