Luke Sutton believes opposition counties won’t relish playing against Derbyshire as the Falcons embark on their Friends Life t20 campaign starting on Thursday.
The Derbyshire skipper introduced his side’s new overseas player, New Zealand international Martin Guptill, and insisted his side can be a real threat in the 2011 competition.
Sutton said: “I think you go into a tournament, certainly the group games, knowing you’re going to lose a couple but you have just got to be on the better side of most of them to get through.
“We have got some very good one-day players and Martin arriving is only adding to that.
“We need to get our plans right and get our preparations right, but we have definitely got a very talented and very dangerous side.
“I’m not sure many teams will want to play against us and – if we can just get that consistent winning formula – I think we will be a real threat in the competition.
“Players have embraced Twenty20 ever since it started and every year that air of excitement is there in the days leading up to it,” Sutton continued.
“This year is no different and we are really looking forward to it.
“When it first started everyone thought it was a bit of crash, bang wallop with no skill involved and no tactics.
“But with the fact that it’s now played on the international stage and with the IPL, Twenty20 is a game of high skill with huge tactics involved.
“Teams are highly prepared for it and it’s going to be a really intriguing tournament. There will be some very big match-ups and we’ll see some great cricket.
“It really just takes one special innings, a special piece of bowling or a special piece of fielding to change a game.
“Games can ebb and flow and change within an over. That’s what makes them so exciting.”
The Falcons get their tournament underway on Thursday against Sutton’s former club Lancashire with a 7pm start at the County Ground.
Guptill, who has played 15 Tests, 52 ODI’s and 23 Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand, will bat at the top of the order for Derbyshire and he is looking forward to some ‘crash and bash’ and some big crowds too.
“It’s going to be a great competition,” Guptill said.
“Twenty20 is always great fun. There is always a little bit of crash and bash but there are also some great tactics involved with it as well. It’s going to be a fantastic competition.
“At the top of the order it’s about picking your balls to hit and backing yourself to execute it properly.
“We are looking to put on a good show for some big crowds. Hopefully the locals will come along, get behind us and give us some great support.”
Tickets for Derbyshire’s eight home Friends Life 20 matches are available online at derbyshireccc.com or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 01332 388 101.
For further information contact Tom Holdcroft on 01332 388 125, 07768 552 667 or tom.holdcroft@derbyshireccc.com.
