As the T20 Blast’s North Group gets underway, there’s significant chatter around the changing fortunes of the teams involved, especially for Lancashire. Here’s a closer look at two key contenders: Birmingham Bears and Derbyshire Falcons.
Birmingham Bears
Reported by Brian Halford
Captain: Alex Davies
Overseas Players: Tom Latham (New Zealand) for the full competition, Hasan Ali (Pakistan) with availability yet to be confirmed
Finals Day Appearances: Four (2003, 2014, 2015, 2017)
Titles: One (2014)
2024 Finish: Quarter-finals
2024 Leading Run Scorer: Sam Hain (569)
2024 Leading Wicket Taker: Danny Briggs (29)
Over the winter, the Bears made significant off-field strides but retained most of their squad, adding New Zealand’s Tom Latham. Initially, they signed Australia’s Beau Webster, but he was called up for national duties. Fans are pondering if the club can finally conquer their knockout stage nerves after four consecutive quarter-final exits. Last season’s disappointment against Gloucestershire still lingers. This campaign’s wildcard, Ethan Bamber, brings enthusiasm and has made his move from Middlesex worthwhile, showing promise in early outings.
The focus remains on reaching the quarter-finals. Glimpses of brilliance in group stages haven’t always translated into knockout success. A fifth consecutive quarter-final appearance would be quite an achievement, offering another chance to break their quarter-final curse.
Derbyshire Falcons
Previewed by Nigel Gardner
Captain: Samit Patel
Overseas Players: Caleb Jewell (Australia), Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (Afghanistan), Blair Tickner (New Zealand) for the group stages
Finals Day Appearances: One
Titles: None
2024 Finish: Sixth (North Group)
2024 Leading Run Scorer: Wayne Madsen (336)
2024 Leading Wicket Taker: Pat Brown (22)
This winter, the Falcons welcomed Caleb Jewell, credited with playing a pivotal role in Hobart Hurricanes’ Big Bash triumph. They also roped in Martin Andersson to bolster their middle order. The big question: Can the Falcons breach the playoff barriers in 2025? They’ve narrowly missed the knockout rounds twice, so expectations are high.
Keep an eye on Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, the 19-year-old spinner who’s already made headlines in international cricket. His potential could shine through this season.
Experience is on Derbyshire’s side, with several players boasting T20 know-how. Overall, whilst both sides face their own hurdles this season, early signs suggest thrilling performances ahead.
