Lancashire Lightning | T20 Match Preview - 25/05/2023

Leicestershire kick off their hunt for a fourth T20 title with a trip to Emirates Old Trafford to face Lancashire Lightning.

The Foxes are boosted by the addition of Pakistan international Naseem Shah, who comes straight into a 14-strong squad for the trip to Manchester.

Paul Nixon’s side will be aiming to continue the momentum they build at the back end of 2022, winning five games in a row to conclude the group stage. Meanwhile, Lightning will be looking to back up their four-wicket win over the Derbyshire Falcons at Edgbaston during Blast Off on Saturday.

Last Time We Met:

Lightning ran out as seven-wicket winners during the previous T20 meeting between the two sides in June 2022.

Batting first at Uptonsteel County Ground, the Foxes were below par with 135 on the board “ Lewis Hill top-scoring with 50 off 34 balls.

Lancashire reached their target with 3.5 overs to spare, aided by knocks of 38 (34b) from opener Phil Salt and 45 (31b) from Steven Croft. Naveen with two wickets and effecting a run-out for the Foxes.

Head-to-Head:

It’s that time of year again. Parkinson vs Parkinson - the key contest to look out for at Old Trafford with both integral to their side’s success.

For the Foxes, Callum is the leading wicket-taker in the Club’s history, claiming 90 at 23.16 during his six seasons in Leicestershire so far.

His best returns came last summer, registering 20 wickets at 20.3, as he formed a dynamic partnership with fellow spin sensation Rehan Ahmed.

Twin Matt has 101 wickets at 18.39 with his leg spin for Lancashire, the second highest tally in the county’s T20 history. His best season came in 2018, claiming 25 at wickets at just 16.6.

Squad:

Pakistan quick Naseem Shah comes straight into contention, with Naveen still in IPL action. Callum Parkinson makes his return to the squad after recovering from a side strain, while Arron Lilley, Harry Swindells and Nick Welch enter the travelling party for the first time this season.

Ed Barnes (foot) and Louis Kimber (side) are the only absentees.

Leicestershire Foxes: Ackermann*, Ahmed, Budinger, Davis, Finan, Hill, Lilley, Mulder, Naseem, Parkinson, Patel, Scriven, Swindells+, Welch.