Dane Vilas focusing on promotion as Lancashire move on from T20 Blast disappointment

The Red Rose are the runaway leaders of Division Two having won six of their 11 games. They need a maximum of 24 points from the final three rounds to secure an immediate return to the top-flight

Lancashire’s disappointment at missing out on an eighth Vitality Blast Finals Day appearance last week can be significantly cushioned by securing Specsavers County Championship promotion against Derbyshire at Emirates Old Trafford, starting on Tuesday.

The Red Rose are the runaway leaders of Division Two having won six of their 11 games.

They need a maximum of 24 points from the final three rounds to secure an immediate return to the top-flight.

Dane Vilas’ side could also win the Division Two title this week - a more complicated task.

They need to gain 20 more points in this round of fixtures than second-placed Gloucestershire, six more than Northants in third and one more than fourth-placed Glamorgan.

Captain Vilas said: “If you look back on our season, you’d say it’s been pretty good.

“But we are disappointed with the loss in the One-Day Cup, getting to the semi-finals and not going all the way. And again, not emulating what we did last year and getting to Finals Day.

“We have a big month ahead. We have three big games in the four-day stuff. 

“We need to regroup as a team. Hopefully we not only gain promotion, we go one step further.

“We have played some fantastic cricket. Guys want to do well, and they have been doing. 

“The main thing for me about this season, including T20, everybody has put their hands up at stages and put a contribution in for the team.”

Last Wednesday, Lancashire were beaten by Essex in the Blast quarter-final at Durham, failing to defend a 160 target and 23 off the last two overs.

Ravi Bopara hit 22 off the penultimate over, with the decision to bowl Liam Livingstone’s leg-spin at such a crucial stage raising eyebrows.

“You can look like an absolute genius or an idiot. Unfortunately for me, it was the latter,” admitted Vilas.

“Hopefully it can make us stronger and better in the long run as a team and squad.

“We have a lot of young guys who will take a lot away from it. In sport and life, everything can’t be easy and happy. You need to take some darkness before the sunshine.”

Against Derbyshire, overseas all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will make his final appearance of the season before returning home to Melbourne to prepare for the start of the Australian domestic summer with Victoria.

Maxwell has played in all three formats for the Red Rose this summer, impressing greatly.

It is no surprise that Vilas would like to see the international ace return to Old Trafford for a second spell in the future.

“Glenn’s been fantastic,” he added.

“It’s not just the calibre of player he is, but more importantly for us it’s how he’s been in the changing rooms. He’s helped a lot of the youngsters, even the senior players.

“He’s played all over the world - he’s a fantastic guy - and you learn from him. To see how he trains and what he thinks about the game has been really good. 

“He’s a true pro, and we’re very happy to have him. Anyone who becomes part of Lancashire is always welcome.

“If he’s feeling up for it next year or the year after and the schedule allows it - you never know what the international schedule is and how busy he’s going to be - it would be great to have him back if we could.”

Courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network.