Jeremy Blackmore

ESPNcricinfo • 25th May 2025

Cameron Green continues prolific run as Gloucestershire spring declaration surprise

Australian international Cameron Green warmed up for the World Test Championship final with a superb unbeaten 118 to set up a bold Gloucestershire declaration against Northamptonshire on day three of this Rothesay County Championship match at Wantage Road.

This was Green's third century in a five-game stint for Gloucestershire as he returns after an eight-month lay-off following back surgery. After a scratchy start, the Western Australian all-rounder played beautifully, facing 185 balls and striking three sixes and eight fours and looked in excellent touch ahead of next month's Test final at Lord's. After eight knocks for Gloucestershire, he currently has an average of 73.67 with power to add in the second innings.

Green's innings helped take the visitors from a precarious overnight 156 for four to 379 for eight when opposition skipper Cameron Bancroft called time with Gloucestershire still 90 runs behind, leg-spinner Calvin Harrison finishing with figures of four for 94.

In their second innings, James Sales hit his followed his first-innings 81 with an unbeaten 49 as Northamptonshire closed on 158 for four, leading by 248 to set up a fascinating final day.

ESPNcricinfo • 23rd May 2025

Zaib offers Saif passage as Northamptonshire rally after collapse

Saif Zaib hit a superbly paced unbeaten 141, his highest first-class score and third century of the season, as Northamptonshire staged a sterling fightback on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road.

Zaib combined with James Sales who made 81 in a fifth-wicket stand worth 148 in 44.2 overs after Northamptonshire's top order slumped to 57 for four before lunch.

Gloucestershire's teenage quick Archie Bailey, 19, bowled with express pace and accounted for two of the first four wickets to fall on his return to the town of his birth.

But with little pace or bounce in the wicket to assist a thoroughly disciplined Gloucestershire bowling attack, Sales and Zaib were content to absorb the pressure before pressing the accelerator. Sales played the dominant partner at first before Zaib took over, marching to his ton from 147 balls and going past his previous best of 135 against Sussex in 2021.

Amidst an admirably persistent Gloucestershire bowling performance, both Bailey, playing only his third first-class game, and Ben Charlesworth picked up two wickets apiece with Northamptonshire finishing the day handily placed on 327 for 6.

Manchester Evening News • 12th May 2025

Lancs hit the Marc with Harris star of the show

Marcus Harris continued his devastating form for Lancashire, recording his third century in nine innings on day two of this Rothesay County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

The Australian international extended his tally as county cricket’s leading run scorer this season to 706 runs with a magnificent 121 (230 balls) including 18 boundaries, making Northamptonshire pay for a rash of dropped catches.

Harris stretched his overnight fourth-wicket partnership with keeper Matty Hurst (59) to 125 after both were dropped off difficult chances yesterday evening on 28 and 0 respectively. Liam Guthrie’s determined, probing seven-over spell this morning accounted for Hurst before Northamptonshire’s fielding again let them down, the slip cordon shelling three chances off his bowling, including Harris on 82.

The Cricket Paper • 11th May 2025

Jeremy Blackmore: Domestic cricket – where next?

Jeremy Blackmore speaks to a range of county CEOs to canvass opinion on where the domestic game is currently and where it is headed

County cricket is no stranger to reviews but for once there is a growing consensus for change building within the domestic game. Disatisfaction with the current structure has been voiced by the PCA, concerned about the impact of workloads on players’ physical and mental health. Meanwhile, supporters’ groups have expressed discontent at The Hundred taking up a prime slice of real estate at the height of summer amid fears of a reduction in games.

The ECB working group leading the latest review, chaired by Surrey’s Steve Elworthy, is currently consulting the counties, aiming for consensus and collaboration.

Durham Chief Executive Tim Bostock who sits on that working group says unhappiness across the game is the driving motivation. The big question is what change looks like given the number of stakeholders and views.

ESPNcricinfo • 10th May 2025

Harris century gives Lancashire advantage in see-sawing game

Marcus Harris continued his fine form for Lancashire, recording his third century in nine innings on day two of this Rothesay County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

The Australian international extended his tally as county cricket's leading run-scorer this season to 706 with a magnificent 121 (230 balls) including 18 boundaries, making Northamptonshire pay for a rash of dropped catches.

Harris stretched his overnight fourth-wicket partnership with keeper Matty Hurst (59) to 125 after both were dropped off difficult chances on Friday evening, on 28 and 0 respectively. Liam Guthrie's determined, probing seven-over morning spell accounted for Hurst before Northamptonshire's fielding again let them down, the slip cordon shelling three chances off his bowling, including Harris on 82.

A hostile Luke Procter finally accounted for Harris and saw the Northamptonshire skipper move past 100 first-class wickets for the county before Harry Conway wrapped up the tail. Lancashire closed on 276, taking a first-innings lead of 38.

Lancashire's seamers were relentless on a wicket still offering assistance, with Northamptonshire stumbling to 65 for 4 before rallying. However, a wicket in the final over saw them finish on 140 for 6, the game hanging in the balance.

ESPNcricinfo • 9th May 2025

McManus fifty rescues Northamptonshire

Lewis McManus led a spirited fightback with a fine 53 off 89 balls to rescue Northamptonshire after they suffered an early batting collapse on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Lancashire at Wantage Road.

All-rounder George Balderson took 4 for 55 and Anderson Phillip 3 for 65 as Lancashire's attack obtained plenty of bounce and movement to reduce Northamptonshire to 67 for 6 before lunch after electing to bat.

But keeper-batter McManus forged a series of enterprising partnerships with the tail to wrestle back the initiative. The last four wickets added 171 runs in 38 overs as Northamptonshire finished 238 all out, Liam Guthrie hitting 43 to register his highest first-class score.

Northamptonshire took two early wickets after tea, but Keaton Jennings hit a sparkling 41 off 45 balls, and with Marcus Harris making 53 not out (119 balls) in a sometimes nervy unbeaten stand of 74 with Matty Hurst (31), Lancashire closed on 133 for 3 trailing by 105.

Earlier, Lancashire's bowling discipline stood in contrast to some loose strokeplay from home batters, Ricardo Vasconcelos (39) the only top-order batter to prosper.

The Cricket Paper • 4th May 2025

Sales aiming to rumble like Jumble

By Jeremy Blackmore
FOR MOST of his burgeoning career, Northamptonshire all-rounder James Sales has drawn comparisons with his famous cricketing father David “Jumble” Sales, who broke batting records for the county in the ‘90s and 2000s.
Now though, James, 22, is attracting attention in his own right, someone The Cricket Paper named as a player to watch this season. His new head coach Darren Lehmann has gone so far as to liken him to Kiwi batting legend Kane Williamson and backed him to play for England before too long.

The Cricket Paper • 4th May 2025

Red Rose rising

By Jeremy Blackmore

LANCASHIRE WERE quick to stamp their authority on the new women’s professional county era with back-to-back wins in their opening games before a high-scoring defeat to Hampshire on Wednesday.
It’s been a clear statement of intent from the county (formerly regional side Thunder) who bolstered their depth with key winter signings.

The Cricket Paper • 27th April 2025

Somerset look to the past and the future as they celebrate 150 years

By Jeremy Blackmore
FOR SOMERSET heroes Vic Marks and Jamie Cox, the county’s 150th anniversary celebrations this summer are an opportunity to reflect on past glories shared with the club’s dedicated fans.

But with county cricket at a pivotal moment ahead of a once-in-a-generation windfall from the Hundred sale, the county is also looking ahead to secure its long-term future, without losing what makes it uniquely Somerset. With an aim too, to stay at English cricket’s top table as the men’s side enjoy an unprecedented sixteenth consecutive season in Division One.

The Cricket Paper • 27th April 2025

Zaib’s back-to-back tons see Steelbacks surge

By Jeremy Blackmore

SAIF ZAIB’S white ball stock has risen over the past year, but it’s been his red ball form that has attracted attention this season with commanding hundreds in successive innings.

The Northamptonshire batting all-rounder played a key role in the Steelbacks’ run to the Vitality Blast quarter-finals last summer and he was named player of the tournament in the Nepal T20 in December. It’s the kind of form that saw him picked up by Welsh Fire head coach and former Northants legend Mike Hussey in this year’s Hundred.

But while he is excited to show what he can do on a bigger white ball stage; it’s been the Rothesay County Championship where Zaib has made an immediate impact.

The Cricket Paper • 6th April 2025

Dazball comes to Northampton

By Jeremy Blackmore
NEW NORTHAMPTONSHIRE head coach Darren Lehmann, who has arrived after the departure of John Sadler last September after three years in charge, is promising a brand of attacking, positive cricket at Wantage Road this season with an emphasis on entertainment and a fierce desire to win.

It’s a mindset that helped Lehmann win World Cup titles as both player and head coach and guide Australia to a 5-0clean sweep in the 2013–14 Ashes series.

Now in a major coup for the Division Two county, he takes an unexpected step back into coaching, revelling in the chance to don the tracksuit once more and work with a group of youngsters he believes have the talent to represent England.

BBC Sport • 5th April 2025

County Championship: Kent close in as Northamptonshire fold

Kent's South African paceman Keith Dudgeon took four wickets to all but shatter Northamptonshire's hopes of chasing 260 on day two of their County Championship match at Wantage Road.

On a day which encompassed parts of three innings and saw 20 wickets fall, Dudgeon claimed 4-32, including three in nine balls, as Northamptonshire stumbled to 107-7 at stumps, still requiring 153. Only George Bartlett's battling unbeaten 54 offers the hosts some faint hopes for tomorrow.

Earlier young Northamptonshire quick Raphy Weatherall again spearheaded a spirited fightback, picking up three Kent wickets in 10 balls, including England opener Zak Crawley (31) who fell to another loose shot.

BBC Sport • 4th April 2025

County Championship: 17 wickets fall in opening day between Northants and Kent

Tawanda Muyeye struck a sparkling 72 on an opening day marked by batting collapses as Kent were bowled out for 231 in their County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

Muyeye hit nine boundaries as Kent dominated either side of lunch in a fourth wicket stand with Jack Leaning (40) worth 104.

But young Northamptonshire paceman Raphy Weatherall set off a procession of Kent wickets, snaring three in three overs, during an impressive spell which accounted for Muyeye and Leaning as Kent lost five for 33 in 9.5 overs.

Grant Stewart and Jas Singh then took two wickets each as Kent turned the screws in a testing evening session as Northants closed the day on 118-7, trailing by 113.

Only Rob Keogh's battling unbeaten 53 held the innings together, offering some hope going into day two.

Earlier left-arm quick Liam Guthrie struck twice in his opening spell in his first match in Northamptonshire colours, cleaning up England Test opener Zak Crawley for one in just the third over of the day.

Crawley never looked comfortable against the Australian and fell playing a booming drive to an in-swinger which knocked two stumps out of the ground.

The Bristol Magazine Online • 3rd April 2025

Just the wicket! In conversation with Neil Priscott, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Cricket

Neil Priscott is the new Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Cricket. With a major national cash injection for the sport, Jeremy Blackmore spoke to him about the potential benefits for Bristol and the wider area’s cricket culture.

Gloucestershire Cricket, the club of W.G. Grace, has a rich and celebrated past, but it’s no exaggeration to say that Neil Priscott takes over as Chief Executive at a pivotal moment in its long history. Bath-born Priscott, who first came to Nevil Road on a work placement aged 15, has just presided over an initial season as interim CEO in which the club won the Vitality T20 Blast trophy for the first time, as well as its first ever business of cricket award for its T20 ticketing campaign.

Now he takes the reins permanently in a year in which Gloucestershire are set to benefit from eye-watering levels of investment being poured into the sport at professional and recreational levels. “It’s absolutely invigorating for the game,” he says.

ECB • 28th February 2025

Somerset finding unique ways to attract more girls into cricket

Somerset Cricket Foundation are using innovative ways to get girls into cricket from Somerset women’s captain Sophie Luff and her team-mates providing masterclass sessions to the launch of unique Mindfulness Cricket sessions earlier this month.

The continued outstanding relationship between Somerset County Cricket Club and Somerset Cricket Foundation demonstrates the power of bringing together the professional and recreational game to drive participation.

Women’s and Girls cricket is enjoying rapid growth across England and Wales and it is the ingenuity of Somerset Cricket Foundation with support from SCCC that have been central to that success.

The Somerset Cricket Foundation works with local state schools and clubs to ensure a welcoming environment and removing fears about trying something new, with initiatives such as ‘Glow In The Dark Cricket’, a winter Girls Training Programme as well as the new mindfulness sessions.

Almost 500 girls have enjoyed one of the varied initiatives which aim to give as many young girls the chance to engage with cricket in ways they might not thought of previously.

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.