Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Durham v Derbyshire Falcons
Venue: Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Date: Friday, July 9, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
Durham are currently fourth in the North Group with three games remaining, occupying the final qualification on net run rate. However, having lost four of their past five matches, the club are in real danger of being overtaken by Birmingham Bears, Lancashire Lightning, or the resurgent Northants Steelbacks.
Derbyshire, meanwhile, are bottom with three wins, seven defeats and one tie to their name, and, situated four points off four place with just three matches remaining, require nothing short of a minor miracle to earn qualification. Appointing Matt Critchley as their T20 captain yielded immediate results - a five-wicket win over Birmingham Bears and a tie with Notts Outlaws- but the Falcons suffered a 14-run defeat against Worcestershire in their most recent outing.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak in England's white-ball squad, Durham will be without Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse, who were called up as replacements. No Derbyshire players were called up for international duty.
Who’s in form?
Leus du Plooy and Luis Reece are Derbyshire's leading run-scorers with 348 and 343 runs, respectively, in 11 innings. The former scored a half-century (57 off 34 balls) in the Falcons' victory over Birmingham Bears, while Reece has scores of 51 and 39 in his previous two outings. Tom Wood has also impressed of late, posting knocks of 63 and 46 against Birmingham and Worcestershire.
With the ball, George Scrimshaw was the star against Birmingham, taking 4 for 23, and has 14 wickets for the season and an economy of 7.41. Logan van Beek is Derbyshire's leading wicket-taker with 15.
For Durham, meanwhile, Sean Dickson has stood out with the bat during their past two defeats, scoring 35 runs off 29 balls against Leicestershire and a further 40 runs against Northants. Matty Potts also chipped in with a 26-ball 40 not out against the Steelbacks in a reassuring display of middle-order depth. Cameron Bancroft remains Durham's leading scorer with 246 runs, but has only passed 30 once in his past five outings.
As well as starring with the bat, Potts is also Durham's leading wicket-taker, with 13 to his name.
What’s the team news?
Paul van Meekeren has joined Durham for the next three Blast matches, with Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes having joined up with England. Academy player Luke Doneathy has also been added to the group.
Durham squad: Cameron Bancroft, David Bedingham, Scott Borthwick, Jack Burnham, Harry Crawshaw, Jack Campbell, Graham Clark, Luke Doneathy, Sean Dickson, Ned Eckersley, Matthew Potts, Stuart Poynter, Ben Raine, Paul Van Meekeren
Ravi Rampaul is available after signing up for the T20 Blast. Nils Prestley is the latest player sidelined.
Derbyshire squad: Luis Reece, Tom Wood, Leus du Plooy, Matt Critchley (C), Harry Came, Brooke Guest, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Alex Thomson, Michael Cohen, Mattie McKiernan, Logan van Beek, George Scrimshaw, Jade Dernbach, Ravi Rampaul
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Durham: LLWLL
Derbyshire Falcons: LTWLL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 23
Durham wins: 12
Derbyshire Falcons wins: 7
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 3
No result: 4
Latest Derbyshire Falcons news
What’s the weather forecast?
A post of rain is expected in the Chester-le-Street at around 7pm but it shouldn't be enough to thwart efforts to get this game on.
Keep up to date with the Met Office's rolling forecast for Chester-le-Street: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
There are a limited number of tickets available for this fixture.
Click here to access the Durham box office.
Travel
Address: Durham County Cricket Club, Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 3QR
By car: The ground is situated a mile outside Chester-le-Street. There are two car parks at the ground.
The Emirates Riverside has a designated drop-off and pick-up point for all cars and taxis.
A road closure may be in place on B1284 Rotary Way immediately after play finishes. The club say it is advisable for vehicles to be at the pick-up point approximately 15 minutes before close of play. All vehicles must turn left when exiting from the pick-up point.
Details regarding road closures for major events will be made available on the Durham CCC website two to three weeks prior to the event taking place.
By public transport: Chester-le-Street rail station is served by Northern Rail, CrossCountry & First TransPennine trains. The station is a 20-minute walk from the ground. East Coast services stop at both Durham and Newcastle instead.
There is a shuttle bus service available from Durham Station to and from Emirates Riverside.
Several buses beginning their journeys in Newcastle stop near the Riverside.
How do I follow the match?
Durham will be streaming the game via their official website. Click here for their match centre.
All T20 Blast matches are available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Prediction?
Likely to be a very close encounter which Derbyshire could edge if their top order are in the mood.
OTHER T20 BLAST MATCH PREVIEWS, JULY 9
NORTH GROUP
Worcestershire v Birmingham Bears
Lancashire Lightning v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Notts Outlaws v Yorkshire Vikings
SOUTH GROUP
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