Match Preview v Derbyshire Falcons
Wed 26 Aug 2020
Leicestershire Foxes get their 2020 Vitality Blast campaign underway at the Fischer County Ground against Derbyshire Falcons. However, in strange twist of fate and in a similar fashion to how they began their Bob Willis Trophy campaign, the Falcons travel to Leicestershire as the home side as the Incora County Ground is being used as a bio-secure venue for the Australia squad ahead of their six-match international series against England in September.
Therefore, the Foxes will be playing at home, but as the away side.
As the contest is scheduled to be played behind closed doors, Leicestershire have been working in the background to provide an improved viewer experience for the T20 matches.
This means that every ball of each home Leicestershire Foxes 2020 Vitality Blast campaign will be streamed live and will be free to watch for every Running Foxes fan.
Head-to-Head
With spin being a vital facet of the white ball game, we have compared the facts and figures behind both teams’ most efficient spin threats which sees Leicestershire’s slow left arm of Callum Parkinson come up against Derbyshire’s leg break of Matt Critchley.
Across the last three seasons in the T20 Blast, Parkinson is the Foxes’ leading wicket-taker in the T20 competition and has taken more wickets at a lower economy rate than Critchley.
Further, Parkinson entered the top five T20 wicket takers in Leicestershire County Cricket Club history last year and will be looking to move in on top spot.
Over the past three years, Parkinson has taken a total of 42 wickets at a cost of 24.02 with a superb economy rate of 7.76. Meanwhile, Critchley has taken a total of 28 wickets at a cost of 22.75 at a slightly inferior economy rate of 8.29.
Whichever way the tie swings tomorrow, both of these spin options will play a huge part in the outcome.
Last Time We Met in Vitality Blast
The last time that Leicestershire Foxes and Derbyshire Falcons met in the Vitality Blast was in the 2019 North Group crunch game at the Fischer County Ground.
The two teams had met 10 days prior at the Pattonair County Ground in which the Foxes emerged victorious by 55 runs.
A defeat for the Foxes at the hands of Notts Outlaws in between set up a fixture in which the winner would be in pole position to clinch the fourth and final play-off spot.
Leicestershire won the toss and captain Colin Ackermann opted to bat first as the sun soaked the Fischer County Ground.
The decision looked to be a stroke of genius as Mark Cosgrove kicked things off in fantastic form, hitting seven fours and one six during the powerplay.
Unfortunately, though, Cosgrove had already outlived two partnerships during the powerplay as well.
Leicestershire’s hopes were really dented following the wicket of Cosgrove after being run out by Logan van Beek for 45.
He was one of just two Foxes to make it into double figures with Lewis Hill (16) being the other.
Leicestershire finished on 124 leaving Derbyshire Falcons a run-chase of 125.
The visitors won with nine wickets to spare as the 70-run partnership of Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen followed up the wicket of Luis Reece to claim a comprehensive win the 19th over.
Squad
Upon completion of his course of rehabilitation, wicketkeeper batsman Lewis Hill has been passed fit for selection for the fixture against Derbyshire Falcons by the club’s medical team.
Leicestershire Foxes could hand Gareth Delany his debut for the club after linking up with them ahead of the Blast. Delany has been training at the Fischer County Ground for the past week.
Arron Lilley comes back into the squad as does Dieter Klein ahead of the white ball competition.
Leicestershire from 13: Colin Ackermann (c), Will Davis, Gareth Delany, Harry Dearden, Gavin Griffiths, Lewis Hill, Dieter Klein, Arron Lilley, Ben Mike, Callum Parkinson, George Rhodes, Harry Swindells, Tom Taylor.
