Willey fireworks guide Steelbacks to first T20 victory

The all-rounder was given permission by England to play for the Steelbacks before rejoining the national side at The Oval tomorrow.

And his presence was crucial in setting up his side for their first win of the summer in the NatWest T20 Blast.

Opening the batting, he cracked 60 from just 27 deliveries to put the Steelbacks quickly on track to reach their target of 167 for victory.

At one stage he took 32 from just eight balls as the Derbyshire bowling attack found nowhere to hide.

Two huge sixes towards the members stand were followed in the next over by one on to the roof of the Lynn Wilson stand.

In truth the Derbyshire total was probably never going to be enough.

But Willey’s dynamics set the platform with Shahid Afridi (34 from 17 balls) helping things on their way.

It was left to skipper Alex Wakely to finish the job off with an unbeaten 31.

Earlier Derbyshire captain Wes Durston had been the mainstay of his side’s 166-7.

He batted through the innings for his 77 from 63 but got no notable support from the other end.

Had someone provided some fireworks to accompany his solidity, the Falcons might have posted something more challenging.

That they did not was due to tidy work with the ball from Rory Kleinveldt, Steven Crook - who was on a hat-trick at one stage - and Afridi.

A poor start to the reply might have opened the door for an away win.

But Willey ensured that was not the case and he can head down to London for England duty with a warm glow knowing he played the key part in securing a first win of the season for the Steelbacks.