T20 Finals Day previews- by Graham Hardcastle
By Graham Hardcastle
Little Lever face hosts Padiham in the second semi-final at 1pm at the Arbories.
The winners will then advance to the 4pm final, where they will face the winners of the 10.30am semi-final between Farnworth and either Barnoldswick or Settle, whose quarter-final tie will be played tomorrow (Friday).
Professional Lehmann is having a superb summer at Victory Road, helping the Villagers into Finals Day and to the verge of the Premiership league title.
Josh Gent’s side have won 13 out of 14 league games and hold a 36-point advantage over second-placed Eagley with nine rounds remaining (a maximum of 12 points per win).
“I wasn’t quite sure coming over what it would be like, but they said to me that it would be a new league and it was a bit of an unknown for everyone,” said the South Australia captain.
“To be in a position we are now is great for the club, and the cricket’s been really good.
“Everyone has played good cricket around the league, especially our boys. They’ve chipped in when we’ve needed it.
“Throughout the season, that’s been the success of the club. If I’ve got runs, others have helped out alongside me.
“We’re batting in partnerships, and we’re also bowling really well. We’re keeping the scores down.”
In all cricket, Lehmann has scored 895 runs with five centuries from 20 matches this summer.
Others have scored more runs, though nobody has bettered the left-hander’s 111.88 average.
As a state captain back home, the 31-year-old joining Little Lever was the most eye-catching signing of the inaugural NWCL season.
For Lehmann, formerly of Lancashire and Yorkshire, it was a no-brainer to spend his winter in Bolton.
“It’s been really good,” he said. “It’s a massive thing to come over and get myself involved in the club.
“My wife and kid have been looked after really well, and that helps a load.
“The important thing is that they’re good people, and I want to give back to the club for the way they’ve helped me out. I’d love to help them win a couple of titles.
Lehmann continued: “You don’t want to be sat at home doing nothing in the off-season year after year.
“The best players are the ones who give themselves more opportunities to play.
“Yes, I would like to be playing county cricket again, and I hope that happens down the track. But this was the opportunity in front of me right now. And I can’t complain one bit.”
On Little Lever’s secret to success, Lehmann said: “We’re rocking up and getting the job done every week whatever challenge we’re facing. As well as with the bat, a load of different bowlers are contributing.
“Everyone’s chipped in – Adam Carter, Nipun Gaikwad, Adil Nisar, Jake Wilde. Curtis Anderton’s been brilliant as well. We’ll keep rolling on.
“And the best thing is that we’re having a load of fun. I think other teams are intimidated by that because we play hard cricket and have a laugh while doing it.”
Little Lever beat Eagley by six wickets chasing 115 in last night’s (Wednesday) quarter-final, with Lehmann posting only four – a rare failure. They topped their group with three wins from five games.
“It should be a really good day on Sunday, and we’re going to try and win it,” said Lehmann, a Big Bash winner Down Under in 2018 with Adelaide Strikers.
“Padiham and Farnworth have qualified, and they’re two of the better teams I’ve played so far. I’m really looking forward to it.”
And on the prospect of returning to Little Lever next year, he added: “I’ve already said to them that I’ll go home, assess what I want to do and think about it around Christmas.
“It’s definitely an option because I’ve loved my time here. I would come back for sure.”
Hosts Padiham are throwing everything into their bid to win Sunday’s T20 Birtwistle Cup – the first trophy to be decided in the new era of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League.
The showpiece occasion, also including Little Lever, Farnworth and either Barnsoldswick or Settle, will take place at The Arbories from 10.30am with the final at 4pm.
The winner of the quarter-final between Barnoldswick and Settle – to be played tomorrow (Friday) night – will face Farnworth in the first semi-final. Padiham will then host Little Lever from 1pm in the second semi.
“Sunday will be a massive day for the club,” said Padiham’s former captain Owen Deakin-Pickard, their top order batter.
“I think we’ve hosted a cup final before, but it was quite a while ago. I’m sure there will be a lot more people watching this.
“It will be tough and will take a lot of work. But as with everything we do as a club, we’ll make a real good fist of it, and I’m sure it will be a great day – if we get the weather.
“There are people who’ve got tickets for the final round of the Open who aren’t going anymore. Everyone’s committing to it.”
No pressure for the players, then, if some of Padiham’s team behind the team have given up the chance to watch Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and big cricket fan Cam Smith chase the Claret Jug.
Instead, it’s down to captain Toby Burrows, professional Jack Edgar and Zander van Tonder to ensure Padiham are above par instead of under it in their bid for a T20 triumph.
“That would be unbelievable,” said Deakin-Pickard. “To go and win the first trophy in the NWCL, it would be a great stepping stone to what we want to achieve as a club. We do want to be pushing for trophies and league titles.
“But everyone has got great ability and match-winners in their teams – both professionals and amateurs – and it should be a great standard of cricket.”
After a slow start to the season, new captain Burrows has led his team to the semi-finals of the Hamer Cup, while they are also ninth in the Premiership table with eight wins from 14.
They finished top of their T20 group with three wins from five and beat Ribblesdale Wanderers by 80 runs defending a 180 target in Monday’s quarter-final.
“Early on, we were bit rusty,” said Deakin-Pickard. “But we’re definitely coming into form at the right time.
“We’ve trained a lot more together as a team recently. We’re having a good 30 minutes fielding a session. That’s the part of the game when you’re together the most, and it’s really helped with togetherness.
“On Monday, we were electric in the field. A lot of those who came down said it was really noticeable and good to watch. I can’t really remember anyone dropping any chances.
“Everyone’s played their part and chipped in. There have been lads lads who’ve got a quick 30 to get us to 160 or even just hit crucial boundaries late on.
“Jonny Whitehead got 80 on Monday, and I think that might have been his first fifty in the T20 stuff. Jimmy Gray has also come in and got a five-for having only played a few (first-team) games this year.”
Meanwhile, Padiham are hoping professional Edgar will have recovered from a hamstring injury in time to play. He has been out since the start of July with a hamstring injury.
Owen Deakin-Pickard Courtesy Clive Lawrence.
