Lancashire Lightning (H) – 19 June 2016
A Sunday afternoon midsummer feast is promised at Edgbaston with a meeting of the two teams which in 2014 delivered one of the great finals in English cricket history – and one of the great Bears triumphs of all time.
Dougie Brown’s side intends to give their old friend Ash a joyless return to the Second City.
Brian Halford, Club Journalist
On that memorable day at Edgbaston, Birmingham lifted the NatWestT20Blast trophy for the first time after Stephen Parry failed to hit the last ball of the tournament from Chris Woakes for six. But a year on it was the Lightning fans who were singing as former Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles led their side to the title after the Bears were knocked out in the semi.
Lancashire are among the Bears’ bogey teams in the short format, having won six of the eight completed duels between the sides. Under Giles, now head coach at Emirates Old Trafford, they will be in no mood to relinquish their title easily. “Considering we’re the T20 champions, we’ve got a lot of headroom and scope for development,” said Giles – clearly his insatiable thirst for improvement so well-remembered at Edgbaston has not diminshed.
But the Bears will be going all guns blazing to improve their record against their rivals from the north-west as they strive to reach a third successive Finals Day at Edgbaston. Dougie Brown’s side intends to give their old friend Ash a joyless return to the Second City – and try to make sure that this particular Lightning does not strike twice.
Snap up some tickets
Tickets are on sale at Edgbaston.com/Tickets and are priced at £15 in the Early Bird window. Prices will rise on 20th April to £19. As ever all Under 16s have FREE entry to every group game fixture, but must be accompanied by an adult.
