Jeremy Blackmore

The Cricket Paper • 29th September 2024

Western Storm – gone but not forgotten

For Sophie Luff, the end of Western Storm after nine years is bittersweet, but she says its legacy leaves much to build on as she prepares to lead Somerset in the new Tier One county set-up next season.
Luff has been involved with Storm since its inception, first as part of the most successful side in the Kia Super League (KSL) era and then as captain from 2020 as women’s cricket moved to a professional regional structure.
Throughout those years Storm has attracted a sizeable following at Taunton and Luff is hoping to pack out the venue in future.

ESPNcricinfo • 19th September 2024

Chahal stars again as Northants seal three-day win

Scott Currie's valiant maiden first-class century proved in vain despite helping to stage a remarkable Leicestershire fightback as Northamptonshire completed back-to-back first-class victories for the first time in five years to the day.

Sent in as nightwatcher, Currie kept his calm as Leicestershire lost three early wickets on the third morning of this Vitality County Championship match at Wantage Road, slumping to 92 for seven, still 88 runs behind. The arrival of Tom Scriven (48 off 66 balls) heralded a complete change of approach though as he and Currie wrestled back the initiative in an attacking partnership of 101 in 21 overs either side of lunch.

With the momentum shifting and Leicestershire building a slender lead, Currie was joined in another big stand worth 110 in 23.3 overs by Sam Wood who smashed 57 off 91 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes). Currie's lengthy vigil eventually ended after more than four hours at the crease, having faced 192 balls and hit 15 fours and two sixes.

Those partnerships allowed Leicestershire to set their hosts 137 to win and while they claimed one early wicket, George Bartlett (54 off 91 balls) and captain Luke Procter (68 off 76 balls) both scored half-centuries in an unbroken stand of 120 to seal victory by nine wickets.

Earlier Indian international Yuzvendra Chahal (5 for 134) claimed a five-wicket haul for the second match running, while Northamptonshire stalwart Ben Sanderson also nipped in to claim his 400th career first-class wicket.

ESPNcricinfo • 18th September 2024

James Sales century helps Northants pile on the runs

James Sales hit an excellent career-best 135 as Northamptonshire piled on the runs on day two of this Vitality County Championship match against Leicestershire at Wantage Road.

The Northamptonshire youngster made the most of his recent elevation up the order, stroking 16 boundaries in more than four hours at the crease, facing 197 deliveries in an innings of real maturity.

While he was dropped on 86 and 121 off two rare false shots, his innings was notable for his fluency, placement and timing. It stood in contrast to his maiden first-class ton in April, scored against the kookaburra ball on a docile pitch which had offered little for the Middlesex attack.

Sales and Rob Keogh (49) extended their overnight partnership to 117, before runs kept flowing during Sales' stand of 131 off just 134 deliveries with a resourceful Saif Zaib. Stroking a run-a-ball 71, Zaib garnered most of his runs from the sweep and reverse sweep as he put the spinners to the sword, a wayward Rehan Ahmed taking the brunt of his offensive.

Leicestershire seamer Ian Holland, who found some inswing with the second new ball to end Sales' innings, helped wrap up the Northamptonshire tail to finish with figures of four for 53 as the hosts were bowled out for 383 to take a first innings lead of 180.

When Leicestershire replied, Northamptonshire tied them down, runs coming at a pedestrian rate with legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal finding plenty of turn. The Indian international claimed two wickets as Leicestershire closed on 69 for four still trailing by 111.

ESPNcricinfo • 10th September 2024

Yuzvendra Chahal claims five as Northamptonshire tighten grip

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed five wickets as Northamptonshire ran through Derbyshire's batting line-up on a day dominated by spin at Wantage Road before Northamptonshire's batters put the hosts in the ascendancy.

Chahal, veteran of 152 white-ball internationals, finished with figures of five for 45, only his third career five-wicket haul, as Derbyshire lost their last six wickets for just 15 runs in 10.2 overs.

For most of the morning Chahal bowled in tandem with off-spinner Rob Keogh on a pitch offering plenty of turn and bounce with fielders stationed all around the bat. Keogh also took three wickets for 65 as Northamptonshire claimed a handy first inning lead of 54 on day two of this Vitality County Championship encounter.

Luis Reece had top scored for Derbyshire with 50 and while Wayne Masden (47) and Aneurin Donald (21) staged a fightback during a 51-run partnership, Chahal removed both batters in a lengthy spell which included a double wicket maiden.

In Northamptonshire's second innings, teenage Derbyshire quick Harry Moore took two early wickets for just six runs, before youngsters Gus Miller (42) and James Sales (40) mounted a stand of 76. Rob Keogh hit a well-paced unbeaten 46 as Northamptonshire closed on 178 for five, leading by 232 when heavy rain and bad light stopped play.

ESPNcricinfo • 9th September 2024

Zaib rescues Northants from top-order collapse

Saif Zaib hit a battling 90 off 144 balls to lead a Northamptonshire fightback after a top-order collapse on the opening day of this Vitality Championship match against Derbyshire at Wantage Road.

Zaib found fine support from Justin Broad in a partnership of 73 in 19 overs which enabled the hosts to post 219, a score that had looked extremely unlikely at 89 for 6 soon after lunch.

For only the second time in Derbyshire history all seven bowlers used took a wicket, Zak Chappell, Martin Andersson and Jack Morley taking two apiece. Luis Reece and Brooke Guest then saw the visitors through to 65 for 1 at the close, trailing by 154 runs, Broad taking the one wicket to fall.

Playing on the same surface used for last Thursday's Vitality Blast quarter-final and one expected to offer turn, the hosts opted to bat first in overcast conditions after winning the toss. Playing with a rejigged batting line-up, the gamble seemed not to have paid off as wickets tumbled although Northamptonshire's spinners would have drawn encouragement from the turn found by their Derbyshire counterparts.

ESPNcricinfo • 5th September 2024

Banton, Kohler-Cadmore make the difference as Somerset overpower Northants

Tom Banton smashed 75 off just 43 balls to set up a Somerset victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks and book the reigning champions a place at Vitality Blast Finals Day.

Banton made hay against an often-wayward Northamptonshire attack, hitting five sixes and six fours as Somerset racked up an intimidating 215 for three at a sold-out Wantage Road.

Banton was the dominant partner in a stand of 125 in 11.3 overs with Tom Kohler-Cadmore who at first struggled to get going before finding his groove and registering 63 off just 43 balls with two fours and five sixes.

Steelbacks captain David Willey led a spirited run chase, contributing 57 off just 39 deliveries (two fours, four sixes), finding good support from Saif Zaib, Ricardo Vasconcelos and Justin Broad to keep the hosts in the hunt. But with Somerset's skipper Lewis Gregory taking three wickets for 35 the target ultimately proved beyond their reach as they closed 17 runs short.

ESPNcricinfo • 11th August 2024

Lancashire snatch thriller to finally break their Metro Bank Cup duck

George Balderson hit a spirited 53 off 67 balls to set up a consolation first win for Lancashire in this year's Metro Bank One Day Cup and break a six-game losing streak.

Balderson struck five fours and a six during a crucial partnership of 65 with Josh Boyden (44 not out off 35 balls) after Lancashire had slumped to 152 for 7 against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. The pair's fightback allowed Lancashire to post 240 for 9 before holding off the Steelbacks' challenge in a thrilling, tense run chase, emerging victorious by just four runs.

Earlier in this bottom-of-the-table clash, Ben Sanderson made the initial breakthrough, removing two Lancashire top-order batters in five deliveries, while Saif Zaib claimed three for 44 as wickets continued to fall before Balderson and Boyden fought back.

In the run chase, Justin Broad hit a career-best 63, his first List A half-century and shared a fifth wicket stand of 77 off 81 balls with skipper Lewis McManus. Boyden (2 for 49) starred with the ball too, breaking the partnership by removing McManus and despite a gutsy 27 from Gus Miller, the hosts fell just short.

ESPNcricinfo • 7th August 2024

Somerset maintain knockout push with clinical win at Northants

Andy Umeed struck a commanding, clinical 63 as Somerset made short work of Northamptonshire Steelbacks, chasing down 156 to win this Metro Bank One Day Cup clash at Wantage Road with 148 balls to spare.

Umeed faced 66 balls, blasting six fours and two sixes and combined with George Thomas (28) to get Somerset's run chase off to a rapid start, the pair racing to 50 off just 31 balls in a blaze of boundaries. While Umeed fell with just 21 needed for victory, James Rew and Sean Dickson saw them home by seven wickets.

In a match reduced to 49 overs a side due to rain, Saif Zaib cut a lone figure with 57 as Northamptonshire were bundled out for 155 inside 38 overs. Josh Davey claimed two early wickets before Zaib rebuilt, finding support from Ricardo Vasconcelos (29) and Lewis McManus (20).

But hopes the Steelbacks might post more than 200 were soon dashed as the lower order collapsed, the last four wickets falling for seven runs in four overs, all seven Somerset bowlers taking at least one wicket. Somerset's victory will give them extra confidence heading into next month's Vitality Blast T20 quarter final between these two sides.

ESPNcricinfo • 4th August 2024

Prithvi Shaw sparks Northamptonshire's One-Day Cup campaign into life

Allrounder Justin Broad claimed two wickets in an over as Northamptonshire's seamers ran through Worcestershire's top order to set up a comprehensive 130-run victory in this Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash at Wantage Road, the hosts' first win in this year's tournament.

Chasing 296 to win, Group A leaders Worcestershire slumped to 34 for 5, Broad finishing with three wickets and Jack White also bagging two wickets for 26 in a miserly, unbroken 10-over spell.

Tom Taylor threatened a repeat performance of the List A century he scored against Worcestershire on this ground last summer as he smashed 57 off 49 balls (nine fours, two sixes) against his former Steelbacks team-mates. But his departure ended Worcestershire's hopes, with Saif Zaib taking three wickets for 44, including two in one over as the visitors were bowled out with 11 overs to spare. Skipper Jake Libby finished unbeaten on 50, his third half-century in four innings in this year's competition.

Earlier Prithvi Shaw continued his love affair with the One-Day Cup, hitting a swashbuckling 72 off just 59 balls (10 fours, one six) his third consecutive half-century.

George Bartlett (60) and Ricardo Vasconcelos (68) then shared a partnership of 107 in just over 21 overs which took Northamptonshire to 215 for 1 in the 40th over. But after such a positive start, both batters fell in the space of seven deliveries and the hosts would have been disappointed at not setting a steeper target. Fateh Singh meanwhile claimed career best List A figures of 3for 51.

Northamptonshire CCC • 24th July 2024

Steelbacks Downed By Derbyshire In One-Day Cup Opener - Northamptonshire CCC

Zak Chappell smashed a List A career best unbeaten 94 to propel Derbyshire to an unlikely two wicket victory over Northamptonshire in this Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash at Wantage Road.

Chappell came together with his skipper Ross Whiteley with Derbyshire in tatters at 79 for seven chasing 236 to win, but they turned the game on its head with a record eighth wicket partnership of 131 (23.4 overs) for the visitors against any opposition and the 22nd highest in the history of List A cricket worldwide.

ESPNcricinfo • 24th July 2024

Zak Chappell's allround masterpiece seals stunning Derbyshire comeback

Zak Chappell smashed a List A career-best unbeaten 94 to propel Derbyshire to an unlikely two-wicket victory over Northamptonshire in their Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash at Wantage Road.

Chappell came together with his skipper Ross Whiteley with Derbyshire in tatters at 79 for seven chasing 236 to win, but they turned the game on its head with a record eighth-wicket partnership of 131 (23.4 overs) for the visitors against any opposition.

Despite Northamptonshire's teenage pacer Raphy Weatherall sparking the initial collapse and finishing with figures of four for 50 on his List A debut, the momentum was all with Derbyshire as Chappell and Whiteley made hay.

Earlier Emilio Gay (59) and George Bartlett (50) each struck half-centuries in a partnership of 79 in 15 overs. Saif Zaib and Lewis McManus then picked up the mantle and looked set to propel Northamptonshire towards a competitive total during a stand of 69 in exactly 11 overs.

But their departure precipitated a Steelbacks collapse, five wickets falling for 22 in 33 balls. On a day to remember for Chappell, the quick bowler finished with career-best bowling figures of 4 for 39, while veteran all-rounder Samit Patel took 3 for 41 as the hosts were bowled out for 235 in 47 overs, which looked well below par.

ECB • 23rd July 2024

Metro Bank One-Day Cup county-by-county preview - Northamptonshire

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Preview by Jeremy Blackmore - ECB Reporters Network

Captain: Lewis McManus

Overseas player: Prithvi Shaw (India)

2023 finish: Sixth (Group B)

2023 leading run scorer: Prithvi Shaw (429)

2023 leading wicket taker: Rob Keogh (12)

Key player: Shaw vowed to return after a knee injury cut short an incredible maiden stint for the Steelbacks last year, which included a record-breaking 244 against Somerset – the sixth highest individual score in List A history. If he gets remotely close to that form this year, Northamptonshire will be strong challengers.

Keep an eye on: At 19, Raphy Weatherall broke into Northamptonshire’s first team this season, making his first-class and T20 debuts. Able to bowl with real pace, his grit and maturity were evident when he was trusted with key overs in this year’s Vitality Blast. The Metro Bank One-Day Cup offers him another opportunity to impress.

Final thought: Northamptonshire carry momentum from a successful Vitality Blast campaign into the Metro-Bank One-Day Cup and, with almost a full squad available, should be favourites to reach the knockout stages. Saif Zaib is in the form of his life and will play a key role until Caribbean League commitments in mid-August.

The Cricket Paper • 21st July 2024

African Caribbean Cricket Festival celebrates heritage in Northampton

We need to show the kids that cricket is in our DNA,” says former England pace bowler Devon Malcolm who spearheaded a celebration of the legacy and influence of Black communities in cricket at Northamptonshire’s County Ground last Sunday.

Steel drums rang out bringing the sounds of the Caribbean to Wantage Road creating a carnival atmosphere as more than a thousand people from all over the country enjoyed live cricket soundtracked by a live DJ, surrounded by authentic African Caribbean food and culture.

ESPNcricinfo • 18th July 2024

Saif Zaib's blistering 86 sets up win as Steelbacks seal quarter-final spot

Saif Zaib hit a blistering 86 off just 41 balls with eight fours and six sixes to set up a thrilling Northamptonshire Steelbacks victory over Birmingham Bears by 11 runs and secure their first Vitality Blast quarter-final spot in four years.

Zaib shared a partnership of 72 in almost seven overs with Ravi Bopara (19) to propel Northamptonshire to a formidable total of 197 for 6.

Steelbacks skipper David Willey struck immediately in the run chase taking two wickets in the opening over, including Moeen Ali first ball, as the Bears slumped to 11 for 3.

But a magnificent 93 from Sam Hain off just 60 balls with 10 fours and three sixes took the match into the final over with the Bears still very much in the hunt.

Hain shared a partnership of 92 in nearly 10 overs with Jacob Bethell, who hit 50 off 31 balls as the visitors bounced back from the early fall of wickets.

Despite some more big hitting from Hain and George Garton at the close, they fell short, although they can draw consolation from having already booked their quarter-final spot.

ESPNcricinfo • 7th July 2024

Northants leave it late to best Durham after Ben Sanderson's career-best

Lewis McManus and Ashton Agar held their nerve to take Northamptonshire Steelbacks to victory in the last over of this Vitality T20 Blast thriller at Wantage Road.

Northamptonshire needed 10 runs an over in the last five after falling behind the rate chasing 141 to win, but McManus showed just how much his batting has improved this season, hitting 25 off 16 balls. The hosts went into the last over needing eight to win, but a huge six from Agar, playing his first game for the Steelbacks, took his side to the brink of victory.

Earlier, Ben Sanderson returned career-best T20 bowling figures of 4 for 15, including two in just three balls, as Durham slumped to four for three in the opening three overs. The top three batters all fell without scoring.

Northampton Chronicle and Echo • 7th July 2024

Steelbacks up to third as McManus and Agar seal last-over win against Durham

Lewis McManus and Ashton Agar held their nerve to take Northamptonshire Steelbacks to victory in the last over of this Vitality T20 Blast thriller at Wantage Road.

Northants needed 10 runs an over in the last five after falling behind the rate chasing 141 to win, but McManus showed just how much his batting has improved this season, hitting 25 off 16 balls.

The hosts went into the last over needing eight to win, but a huge six from Agar, playing his first game for the Steelbacks, took his side to the brink of victory.

Earlier Ben Sanderson returned career best T20 bowling figures of four for 15, including two in just three balls as Durham slumped to four for three in the opening three overs, the top three batters all falling without scoring.

Northampton Chronicle and Echo • 2nd July 2024

Winless Northants fall short again as they collapse to defeat against league leaders Sussex

Sussex quick bowler Nathan McAndrew took five wickets, including two in three balls, to power his county to victory over struggling Northamptonshire and cement their place at the top of the Vitality County Championship Division Two.

Robinson found plenty of bounce and carry to remove both not out Northants batters, Matthew Breetzke and Rob Keogh inside the first 20 minutes of this third morning at Wantage Road.

ESPNcricinfo • 2nd July 2024

Nathan McAndrew five-for wraps up spoils for Sussex

Australian overseas signing McAndrew, who removed both openers on day two, finished with figures of 5 for 73 as Northamptonshire were bowled out for 220, Sussex winning by 63 runs.

A short, fiery spell from overlooked England seamer Ollie Robinson did the early damage in gloomy, drizzly conditions. Robinson found plenty of bounce and carry to remove both not out Northamptonshire batters, Matthew Breetzke and Rob Keogh, inside the first 20 minutes of this third morning at Wantage Road.

BBC Sport • 2nd July 2024

County Championship: Division Two leaders Sussex beat Northants

Sussex quick bowler Nathan McAndrew took five wickets, including two in three balls, to power his side to victory over Northamptonshire and cement their place at the top of Division Two in the County Championship.

Australian overseas signing McAndrew, who removed both openers on Monday, finished with figures of 5-73 as Northamptonshire were bowled out for 220, Sussex winning by 63 runs.

A short, fiery spell from overlooked England seamer Ollie Robinson did the early damage in gloomy, drizzly conditions.

Robinson found plenty of bounce and carry to remove Matthew Breetzke and Rob Keogh inside the first 20 minutes of the third morning at Wantage Road.

It was a spell which effectively dashed the hosts’ remaining hopes of chasing 284 to win.

ESPNcricinfo • 30th June 2024

Ollie Robinson sends England reminder as Northants routed for 97

Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson, overlooked for England's Test squad, bounced back to equal his season's best tally of four wickets for 42 as Northamptonshire were skittled for 97 on an eventful opening day of this Vitality County Championship match at Wantage Road.

Robinson, who claimed identical stats against Yorkshire at Hove, took some stick in his opening overs, but found more control and a better line as he switched ends amid a Steelbacks collapse. This after the hosts had raced to 43 without loss inside six overs before Nathan McAndrew started the slump with two wickets in two balls.

On a day which saw 22 wickets fall, Sussex had themselves been bowled out earlier for 143, Northamptonshire seamer Jack White striking with four wickets for 23 runs, his first scalps of the summer since returning from injury. The visitors were undone by some testing seam bowling on a green top with bare ends, the bowlers finding plenty of movement to beat the bat consistently with Sussex losing six wickets for 47 in 19 overs after lunch, despite a series of dropped catches from the hosts.

The clatter of wickets meant Sussex were batting again at 5.20pm when, with the sun putting in a late appearance, conditions started to ease. Tom Haines took advantage, hitting 45 as Sussex closed on 83 for 2, 129 ahead.

ESPNcricinfo • 7th June 2024

Saif Zaib stars with bat and ball as Northants hold nerve against Worcestershire

Northamptonshire all-rounder Saif Zaib starred in front of the TV cameras, plundering an unbeaten 44 off just 21 balls and bagging three wickets for 20 runs as the Steelbacks won out by just six runs against over Worcestershire Rapids in a Vitality Blast thriller at Wantage Road.

Zaib smashed six fours and two sixes, to propel Steelbacks to 169 for four, sharing an unbeaten stand of 79 in six overs with Sikandar Raza (42*) to help his side recover from a mini collapse.

England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, playing the first of five T20 loan games for Worcestershire, took two for 38.

In the chase, the visitors slumped to 120 for eight in the 16th over before an extraordinary cameo from Gareth Roderick almost won the game. Blasting 39 off just 22 balls (1x4, 3x6), his highest T20 score, Roderick took the game to the wire with Worcestershire needing 11 off the final six balls. But Raphy Weatherall, bowling a brilliant final over, held his nerve, conceding just four runs and ending Roderick's resistance.

Amidst the action, Steelbacks captain and former England all-rounder David Willey took his 300th career T20 wicket.

Northampton Chronicle and Echo • 2nd June 2024

Steelbacks' winning T20 start ends as Vikings sail to comfortable success

Northamptonshire Steelbacks saw their winning start to the Vitality Blast come to an end as Yorkshire Vikings claimed a 29-run victory at Wantage Road.

Ravi Bopara had kept the hosts in the hunt with 35 to follow bowling figures of four for 34, and Ricardo Vasconcelos made 37, but with wickets falling regularly, the momentum was all with the Vikings.

Former England T20 team-mates Joe Root (35) and Dawid Malan (41) got Yorkshire off to an explosive start, putting on 67 in 8.1 overs before the Vikings faltered to 100 for four in the 13th over.

ESPNcricinfo • 2nd June 2024

Scrivens plays lone hand to seal final-ball win

Grace Scrivens played a captain's knock of 64 not out to power Sunrisers to a final-ball victory over Northern Diamonds in this Charlotte Edwards Cup clash at Wantage Road.

Chasing just 124 to win on a slow surface, Sunrisers were behind the run rate from the start, losing six wickets along the way, leaving Scrivens to play a lone hand.

She went into the final over, bowled by Erin Burns, needing 11 to win and took two boundaries off the first five deliveries, one a reverse sweep and the other a heave through backward square leg. It left Sunrisers needing two off the last ball to win which Scrivens cooly smashed down the ground for four.

ESPNcricinfo • 2nd June 2024

Jordan Thompson shines with ball and bat as Yorkshire defeat Northants

Jordan Thompson claimed three wickets for just 18 runs and hit a crucial quickfire 20 as Yorkshire Vikings inflicted a comprehensive win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in this Vitality Blast clash at Wantage Road.

Dom Bess and Matt Revis also shared two wickets apiece as the Vikings restricted the Steelbacks to 157 for 8 chasing 187 to win, coming out victors by 29 runs.

Ravi Bopara had kept the hosts in the hunt with 35 off 21 balls to follow bowling figures of 4 for 34 and Ricardo Vasconcelos made 37, but with wickets falling regularly, the momentum was all with the Vikings.

Joe Root (35) and Dawid Malan (41) got Yorkshire to an explosive start, putting on 67 in 8.1 overs before Yorkshire faltered to 100 for 4 in the 13th over.

But a record fifth-wicket partnership for Yorkshire against Northamptonshire of 64 between Shan Masood and Dom Bess and some power hitting in the final over from Thomspon helped them up to 186 for 6.