Overseas absences and change of venue may give Lancashire Lightning pause for thought

T20 BLAST PREVIEW: Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner are missing, and Old Trafford won't host a game until September 17 - so how will the Red Rose's plans change as they bid for another Finals Day appearance?

Coach: Glen Chapple

Captain: Dane Vilas

Last season: Quarter-finals 

Fixtures: August 27 - Durham (a); August 29 - Leicestershire (a); August 31 - Derbyshire (h); September 2 – Nottinghamshire (a); September 4 – Derbyshire (a); September 11 - Nottinghamshire (a); September 14 - Yorkshire (h); September 17 - Yorkshire (h); September 18 - Durham (h); September 20 - Worcestershire (h)

How did they do last year?

Lancashire fell at the quarter-final stage – a six-wicket defeat to eventual winners Essex at Emirates Riverside saw the Red Rose narrowly miss out on Finals Day. 

Lightning had topped the North Division with eight wins and only two defeats in their 14 matches – the weather resulted in the abandonment of four of their games. Remarkably, these two defeats came at the hands of a Warwickshire side that finished the season seventh. 

Who are their key players?

Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Davies impressed at the top of the order last year - a knock of 80 not out was in vain in the quarter-finals. Davis and Dane Vilas will carry much of the run-making responsibilitues. Red Rose skipper Vilas hit some vital knocks last year – a quick 43 against Yorkshire arguably the highlight of a decent 2019 campaign. 

Matt Parkinson was impactful in 2019, his leg-spin claiming 21 wickets, as he ended the season with a best of 4 for 30. Parkinson will be hoping he can overcome an ankle injury – some second XI action is a positive sign the leggy will be available for the opening round of the T20 Blast. 

Liam Livingstone and Saqib Mahmood may have their T20 Blast roles shortened by involvement with England’s white-ball squad but when around they will be vital to big scores and miserly bowling performances. The involvement of Jos Butter will be limited, but he might be available for the knock-out stages, should Lancashire get there.  

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What are their biggest strengths?

In our Bob Willis Trophy preview, we highlighted how Lancashire would benefit from being one of the clubs not impacted by furlough – unlike many clubs the Red Rose have been training together since Christmas. Even in a shorter format, the Blast’s congested fixture list may see Lancashire forced to rotate on fewer occasions than their counterparts.  

At the top of the order, Davies and Keaton Jennings have excelled in recent years - Davies has hit 800 runs in the last two T20 Blast seasons. Further down the order, Vilas, who averaged 32.37 last year, will be a crucial part of a batting line-up that will be impacted by those involved on England duty.

Leg-spin was essential to Lancashire dominating the North Division – Livingstone taking 14 wickets as Matt Parkinson dominated with 21 to his name.  

Where might they have a weakness?

Lancashire’s squad is littered with stars, but questions will arise when they are unavailable - Saqib Mahmood and Liam Livingstone may be with England’s white-ball team during the series against Australia.

Missing players is a definite theme this year, as Lancashire will also be without overseas players James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell, whose contracts were cancelled after the county season was delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Australian power-hitter - nicknamed “The Big Show” - will be a huge miss to a batting line-up that now, arguably, lacks a little bit of bite. 

Perhaps of note, is that Lancashire will have to wait until the September 17 for their first game at their traditional ground. England’s men will be based at Emirates Old Trafford throughout September. The big boundaries of the venue were a major part of Lancashire's success with leg-spin in 2019.

What are their chances of reaching Finals Day?

The Lightning have reached the knock-out stages in four of the past five seasons but haven't reached the final since winning the competition in 2015.

Even so, if the squad players can guide Lancashire out of the group stages, the Red Rose will be one of the tournament favourites when the England regulars return for the later stages of the competition. 

Possible XI: Alex Davies, Liam Livingstone, Keaton Jennings, Steven Croft, Dane Vilas, Josh Bohannon, Luke Wood, George Balderson, Richard Gleeson, Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson 

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