Lightning T20 Match Preview - 07/06/2022

Match Sponsor:

A huge thanks to tonight's match sponsor, ima Architects. 

Last time we met:

The two teams last met in the first match of the 2021 season at Old Trafford, an encounter which saw our hosts edge a 16-run victory.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Lancashire's 172-8 batting effort was underpinned by 73 not out (51b) from New Zealand overseas opener Finn Allen on debut, with Liam Livingstone's 25(12b) the next highest score.  Gavin Griffiths (4-24 from his four overs) was outstanding against his former side.

In reply, Scott Steel's unbeaten fifty and quickfire 30s from Josh Inglis and Rishi Patel gave Leicestershire hope, but boundaries were tough to come by and Tom Hartley (1-18 from four overs) particularly impressed for our opposition.

Head to Head:

Callum Parkinson vs Matt Parkinson:

There can only be one head-to-head in Foxes versus Lightning matches - the battle of the Parkinson twins.  Slow left-armer Callum is already the Running Foxes leading wicket-taker of all time, and needs just four more wickets from the remaining eight matches to record his sixth consecutive 10-wicket season - incredible consistency from our red ball captain.  In the Blast, Parky has taken wickets at exactly 24 runs apiece across his career, at an economy rate of just 7.53 runs per over.

Twin brother, leg spinner Matt, made his England debut last week in the First Test against New Zealand, and will need to get back into white ball mode for Lancashire in this match.  The duo have virtually identical economy, with Matt just lower at 7.42 runs per over but it's worth mentioning that he bowls mostly in the middle overs, whereas twin Callum operates in the higher scoring Powerplay as well.  Matt has the slight edge on bowling average, but with the duo both looking to make a big impression against each other's teams, it's all set up for the battle of the Parkinson twins at the Uptonsteel County Ground on Tuesday night.

Following Sunday's win at New Road, Head Coach Paul Nixon names an unchanged 14-strong squad.

Squad: Ackermann *, Ahmed, Davis, Griffiths, Hill +, Kimber, Lilley, Mike, Naveen, Parkinson, Patel, Rutherford, Steel, Walker.