Tom Smith believes Lancashire Lightning are well set to challenge for NatWest T20 Blast glory this season.
The Red Rose currently sit second in the North Group ahead of tonight’s round of fixtures - when they host Leicestershire Foxes - with four wins from their six games so far.
A defeat against rivals Yorkshire Vikings denied them the chance to move to the top, but Smith, who has enjoyed a fabulous campaign to date, believes there were many positives to take from the narrow defeat in that thrilling contest.
He told ecb.co.uk: “The Yorkshire game was disappointing but to get 180 was a good effort. (Aaron) Finch played great knock to win it for them but we know we played some good cricket. We just have to keep on playing as we are.”
Smith was unfortunate to end on the losing side in the contest, after blasting his second half-century of the competition.
His 55 was only ended by a fantastic piece of fielding from Adam Lyth, who flicked the ball back from behind the boundary and Finch was on hand to complete the dismissal.
Nevertheless, Smith was happy with his display, as he scored over 44 for the third time in as many Blast games on his home ground this season.
“(I’ve been) immensely happy (with my performances),” he said.
“I’ve not bowled a great deal but I’ve been able to concentrate more on my batting and it’s been going well. Emirates Old Trafford is a great place to play, I’ve played a lot of cricket here and I know it well.
“(My favourite knock was) definitely the Yorkshire one. I’d batted well against Warwickshire in the County Championship just before and I took that into the Yorkshire game. It’s always nice to score a half-century against them!”
Smith has been impressed with this year's Blast competition, particularly the way crowds have taken to the Friday night games.
He also praised his county for their marketing of games, with a full house enjoying the Roses tussle last time out.
And he hopes that Lancashire will be involved in many more big games throughout the competition, right up to Finals Day at Edgbaston.
STRIKERS: Can Tom Smith help @LancsCCC strike back after the Roses loss? Or will @leicsccc's Cobb inspire the Foxes? pic.twitter.com/a2r7oYB61U
— NatWest T20 Blast (@NatWestT20Blast) June 13, 2014
He said: “I’ve really enjoyed (the Blast). It shows what a good set-up we have at Emirates Old Trafford, with some great spectacles; we've had full houses on Friday nights which is good to see.
“(As players) we’ve said we’d like to win a one-day trophy this year. We have an explosive line-up. With the likes of Crofty (Steven Croft), Karl Brown and Jos (Buttler) in the middle order, we feel like we can chase any score.”
That firepower could be boosted further should Andrew Flintoff make it into the line-up. The former England all-rounder caused a stir when he announced his return to the game earlier in the campaign.
The 36-year-old has not featured as of yet, but like many of the Lancashire fans, Smith hopes that day comes soon.
“He’s been great,” said Smith.
“He’s got a lot of experience and I can’t count the number of internationals he’s played in.
“Unfortunately he’s not played yet but I hope he does at some point. He’s great to have around the place.”