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Watt looking forward to Vitality T20 Finals Day

Gary Heatly speaks to Scotland spinner Mark Watt who will be representing Lancashire in this year's Vitality Blast T20 Finals Day.

Lizzie Sleet @CricketScotland
September 14, 2018 6 years
Watt looking forward to Vitality T20 Finals Day

Scotland cricketer Mark Watt helped Heriot’s win the national T20 competition north of the border last Sunday – and on Saturday he will aim to play his part as Lancashire look to come out victorious in the Vitality T20 Blast event in England.

Ever since the 22-year-old spinner took key wickets in the famous victory over England in the ODI at The Grange in Edinburgh back in June his stock has risen.

This summer Watt has played the majority of his club cricket with Tynemouth in the north east of England, but he has clocked up the miles heading north to represent the Eastern Knights in both the 50 over and T20 regional competitions.

The Knights, of course, won both of those while last weekend Watt made a cameo appearance for former club Heriot’s, taking three wickets as they defeated Forfarshire via DLS in an exciting final to lift more silverware.

Since the beginning of August, Watt’s main focus has been with English county side Lancashire after they handed him a contract for the remainder of the summer.

Mark Watt in action for Lancashire

“After the England match I was called in by Lancashire to play in a few games for the second XI so that they could have a look at me and things went from there really,” he explained.

“At the start of August I got a phone call to say they were keen on me joining until the end of this season and a few days later I was playing in a Vitality T20 Blast match against Leicestershire.

“It was all a bit of a whirlwind, but to play at Old Trafford in front of a big crowd was really special.

“Since then I have gone on to play in a few more Blast games and I think it has helped my game come on a lot. As I know from my T20 experiences with Scotland, as a bowler there is no room for error in that format and you have to be constantly thinking.

“For the team to make it to finals day at Edgbaston is amazing and I am sure the place will be packed out so hopefully I can do my bit for the team if and when needed in the semi-final or the final.

“In general my time with Lancasire has really helped me, just being around top class players day in and day out and really testing myself, that is what you have to do as a cricketer if you want to progress and get better.”

In the T20 Blast semi-finals Lancashire play Worcestershire with Sussex taking on Somerset with the victors then meeting.

Watt is in the extended Lancashire squad which has been boosted by the return of England men Keaton Jennings and Jos Buttler.

Meanwhile, Watt has paid his own tribute to Grant Bradburn after the Kiwi left his role as Scotland head coach to join the Pakistan coaching set-up.

“Grant is a really good guy and a very good coach and he got the most out of us as a group of players because he backed us to express ourselves and play a positive brand of cricket,” Watt stated.

“That was best seen during the England game in June when the batsmen came out of the blocks with real intent. He helped me with my game a lot and I wish him all the best for the future.”

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