Lancashire’s Matt Parkinson wants to learn from last year’s Vitality Blast disappointment

The Lightning reached their seventh Finals Day, but were under par and bundled out in the morning semi-final by eventual champions Worcestershire.

That upset leg-spinner Parkinson and company, who themselves are aiming for a second Blast title.

“Last year was disappointing. You come to Edgbaston and leave at 1pm. You almost feel unfulfilled. It was a low point,” he said.

“The lads did well to get to Finals Day. We had a good group stage and played well up until then.

“But that’s the thing with knockout cricket. You have one off-day and it goes wrong.”

This year’s competition has taken on extra importance for the 22-year-old England Lions man, who has been unable to force his way into Lancashire’s Specsavers County Championship team this season.

He was overlooked in favour of left-arm spinner Stephen Parry for this week’s draw against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

Last year, he was the second leading wicket-taker in the Blast with 25 wickets from 15 appearancess.

“I have played T20 in junior and club cricket from the age of eight, so it’s something I’ve grown up with,” he said before today’s Championship clash against Sussex at Old Trafford.

“For us, it’s not a novelty. It’s on a par with first-class and one-day cricket, and for me personally over the last few years, it’s been a competition I’ve done well in.

“The last two years have gone OK, and it’s nice to bowl leg-spin at Old Trafford because it’s a big ground and the wickets are normally conducive to spin bowling in the white-ball game.”

Needless to say, Parkinson and the Lightning are aiming for a second Blast title with their campaign starting against Leicestershire at Grace Road next Friday.

They are confident of achieving it with the addition of Australian duo James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell.

Maxwell played in the early-season Royal London One-Day Cup matches, and he is someone Parkinson is hoping to catch the eye of given his role as the captain of the Melbourne Stars.

“I was meant to play with him at the Stars in the winter, but I had a stress fracture in my back,” he said.

“It was a big chance, but it’s something I’m keen to get again. Those opportunities don’t come unless you perform in the Blast.

“So my aim this summer, from a personal point of view, is to replicate last season and as a team go one better. if those performances for Lancashire lead to other opportunities, that’s even better.”