Notts Outlaws | T20 Match Preview - 20/06/2023

It’s Derby Day at Uptonsteel County Ground, as the Foxes take on East Midlands rivals Notts Outlaws in the Vitality Blast.

Both sides are bidding to avenge defeat last time out, with Leicestershire losing by six wickets to Worcestershire Rapids, while Notts suffered a 78-run defeat at the hands of Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

Tickets:

Advance tickets are available ONLINE until 3pm, before becoming exclusively available at the Curzon Road ticket office from 5pm. Tickets are priced at £15 for Adults, £10 for Seniors and Students, and £5 for Juniors (U16).

Last Time We Met:

The sides last met in the competition almost a year ago to the day, with Leicestershire taking victory by 47 runs at Trent Bridge.

The Foxes posted 170 from their allocation, aided by Lewis Hill’s 39 and a blistering cameo of 29 from just 12 balls by all-rounder Ben Mike.

At 51/1 after the Powerplay, the Outlaws were well set. But a superb bowling display, spearheaded by Naveen-ul-Haq’s 4/24, coupled with a record-equalling four catches by Wiaan Mulder, helped the Foxes to a comprehensive victory.

Head-to-Head:

It’s the battle of the overseas stars this evening. Peter Handscomb impressed on T20 debut for the Foxes, hitting 36 (20b) at a solid strike rate of 180, before his dismissal led to a mid-innings collapse.

The Aussie international has vast T20 experience, featuring in 115 matches and scoring 1785 runs, including a best of 103* for the Melbourne Stars in the 2015 Big Bash. In his new role as Foxes opener, he will be crucial to the side’s chances this evening.

Colin Munro is averaging 29.5 striking at 155 for the Outlaws so far this campaign. Like Handscomb, he’s a master of the format, averaging above 30 and touching 10,000 runs in his 386 appearances, including 65 for New Zealand.

The left-hander strikes at above 140, 156 at international level, and has eight T20 hundreds to his name.

Squad:

The Foxes name an unchanged 13-man squad for tonight’s clash.

Leicestershire Foxes: Ackermann*, Ahmed, Barnes, Finan, Handscomb+, Kimber, Mulder, Parkinson, Patel, Salisbury, Scriven, Swindells, Welch.