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It's time for Lightning to finally strike twice!

September 13, 2025

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Manchester Evening News

STEVEN Croft is a rare breed indeed a Lancashire captain who has lifted the T20 Blast trophy.

- By CHRIS OSTICK

It's time for Lightning to finally strike twice!

In fact, he is the only Lightning skipper to achieve the feat, having helped guide the club to their only success in the competition in 2015.

Ten years on, he has the chance to help lift it again, this time as interim head coach as Lancashire head to Edgbaston with their eyes firmly set on silverware to put a shine on a season which has largely been disappointing.

Considering since the start of the Blast in 2003 Lightning have been the strongest T20 side in the country, having won more games in the format than any other county, and are heading to their 10th Finals Day today - a figure beaten only by Hampshire the fact they have taken the spoils back to Emirates Old Trafford just once in 23 seasons is remarkable.

But, having topped the North Group once again, and then seeing off Kent in last week's quarterfinal thanks to a stunning Liam Livingstone knock, they are heading to the Midlands confident of ending their 10-year drought.

They face Somerset in the first semifinal this morning, and will take on either Hampshire or Northamptonshire who they beat in the 2015 final - if they win.

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