Lancs’ Blast campaign starts with Rapids
CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK
LANCASHIRE will start their T20 Blast bid at Emirates Old Trafford when they face Worcestershire Rapids on July 5.
Lancashire won the tournament for the first time in 2015 , but have since failed to make it out of the group stage following two disappointing campaigns.
Next year, three of their opening four matches will be at Emirates Old Trafford, with 2016 champions Northamptonshire and Derbyshire visiting Manchester, with Lightning’s first away match is at Derby on July 6.
The first Roses clash is at Emirates Old Trafford on July 20, with Lancashire travelling to Yorkshire on August 9 for the Headingley return. Both games are usually sell-outs.
Lancashire, who are yet to name an overseas signing for next year’s competition, end the group stage with home and away games against Birmingham Bears – where former head coach Ashley Giles is now sporting director – with a trip to Durham inbetween.
The quarter-finals are set for August 23-26, with Finals Day again at Edgbston but later than usual on September 15.
Head coach Glen Chapple said: “The announcement of next season’s fixtures is always an exciting time of the year and brings us a step closer to the 2018 season.
“The T20 Blast is getting bigger and better every year now and we are close to securing an overseas signing for this competition which will give us a big boost.
“The T20 title in 2015 at Edgbaston still lives long in the memory and we’re all desperate to get back there in 2018. We’ve got a good record in that competition and our home form is outstanding, and we are determined to get a good run going next season.”
Meanwhile, Lancashire Thunder will play two matches as part of double-headers at Emirates Old Trafford in an enlarged Kia Super League.
They will host Western Storm on August 3 and Surrey Stars four days later in Manchester ahead of Lancashire Lightning’s NatWest T20 Blast matches on those days.
Thunder begin their campaign at home to Loughborough on July 22 at Liverpool, and also face Yorkshire at Blackpool on August 14.
Bobby Cross, Thunder general manager, said: “It’s great to see the expansion of the Kia Super League in 2018 where each side will play each other home and away. This is a further development of the women’s game and will benefit the players and the competition.
“Women’s cricket is expanding so quickly in popularity and with crowds up by a third in last year’s Kia Super League, we’re all determined to keep the momentum going in 2018 and beyond.
“We’re all really looking forward to the two double headers that are taking place at Emirates Old Trafford again, as well at the club’s fantastic outgrounds.”