Match Details:
The North Group match of the T20 Blast 2020 is all set to be played between Lancashire Lightning and Derbyshire Falcons at The Aigburth Cricket Ground, Liverpool.
This match is scheduled to start at 2:30 PM Local Time (7:00 PM IST).
Preview:
Lancashire Lightning are placed at the 2nd spot in the North Group points table of the T20 Blast 2020. The team has collected 6 points from 4 matches after 2 wins and 2 washed-out matches. Derbyshire Falcons, on the other hand, have failed to win any of their matches in the league till now. They lost two of their four fixtures and are placed at the 5th spot with 2 points.
Last time when both the teams faced each other, the match went down the wire. Lancashire continued their winning run scraping through to a 4-run victory. It is a battle of equals and it promises to be a fascinating match at the Aigburth Cricket Ground in Liverpool.
Weather Report
The English weather has been unrelenting right through the season and there is a possibility that rain may not play spoilsport once again. While temperatures are expected to be between 11-17 degrees Celsius, 6% precipitation is expected at 2 pm which goes up to 10% at 5 PM.
Pitch Condition/Report:
Not much is known about the track at The Aigburth Cricket Ground as it is not a regular venue. In the couple of T20 matches played there over the last few years, it seems to be a decent track to bat on.
Average first innings score: 159 (Last two complete matches played at this venue)
Record of chasing teams: Won – 2 , Lost – 0 , Tied – 0
Injury and Availability News:
Wayne Madsen may be unavailable due to an ankle ligament injury and the club’s medical team will continue to assess his fitness ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Liam Livingstone will miss this match as he is a reserve player for England’s three-match T20I series against Australia in Southampton, starting from September 4.
Probable Playing XIs:
Lancashire Lightning:
Keaton Jennings, Alex Davies, Dane Vilas(C/W), Steven Croft, Josh Bohannon, Rob Jones, Danny Lamb, Tom Bailey, Tom Hartley, Liam Hurt, Matt Parkinson
Bench: George Balderson,, George Lavelle, Toby Lester, Stephen Parry, Luke Wood
Derbyshire Falcons:
Billy Godleman(C), Luis Reece, Leus du Plooy, Alex Hughes, Matt Critchley, Mattie Mckiernan, Tom Wood, Anuj Dal, Harvey Hosein (WK), Ed Barnes, Sam Conners
Bench: Wayne Madsen, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Michael Cohen, Dustin Melton
Top Picks:
Edward Barnes made his T20 debut in the last game vs Lancashire where the youngster impressed with the bowling figures of 3-0-27-2.
Matthew Critchley scored a crucial knock of 32 off just 20 deliveries and took 1 wicket also in the last match against Lancashire. He can do the damage with bat and ball as well.
Alex Davies has been the third highest run-getter of the Blast up till now with 147 runs in just two innings at a strike rate of 138.7. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored a fantastic 82 in the last game and looks to be in great form.
Steven Croft is an experienced all-rounder. He scored 38 runs and took 2 crucial wickets in his last outing against Derbyshire.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options – Alex Davies, Edward Barnes
Vice-Captain Options – Keaton Jennings, Steven Croft
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Alex Davies (C)
Batters –Keaton Jennings, Leus du Plooy, Billy Godleman
All-Rounders – Steven Croft, Luis Reece, Matthew Critchley (VC), Danny Lamb
Bowlers – Matt Parkinson, Mattie Mckiernan, Tom Bailey
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Alex Davies
Batters – Keaton Jennings (VC), Josh Bohannon, Leus du Plooy
All-Rounders – Matthew Critchley, Alex Hughes, Steven Croft (C) , Luis Reece
Bowlers – Matt Parkinson, Mattie Mckiernan, Ed Barnes
Expert Advice:
Alex Davies scored a magnificent knock of 82 off just 56 balls in the last game against Derbyshire. He is an aggressive opener and one who can be made captain.
Probable Winners:
Lancashire is expected to win this match.
