Jeremy Blackmore

Matt Breetzke blazed 93 off 45 balls, just one short of his highest T20 score, to reignite Northamptonshire Steelbacks' Vitality Blast campaign by setting up a 13-run win over bottom-placed Derbyshire.

The victory puts the Steelbacks' quest for qualification back on track, after they lost their previous five games, following six straight wins at the start of the tournament.

Back from Test duty with South Africa, Breetzke adjusted instantly to the change of format, setting the pace with nine fours and five sixes in a partnership of 125 in 10.4 overs with skipper David Willey who made 53 off 33 deliveries (six fours, two sixes).

With Saif Zaib also making an unbeaten 53 from 20 balls (three fours, four sixes), Northamptonshire finished with 237 for four, equalling their highest ever T20 score scored away against Yorkshire earlier this season.

Derbyshire looked on course to chase down the target and post their highest ever T20 total. In a display of ferocious hitting, Aneurin Donald smashed 71 off just 22 balls (eight fours, six sixes) in a blistering opening stand worth 112 in just 7.4 overs with Caleb Jewell (39). But Australian leg-spinner Lloyd Pope made the crucial double breakthrough, removing both Donald and Jewell in his opening over. George Scrimshaw then struck twice in his second over to further arrest Derbyshire's hopes.

The match saw the highest aggregate score between these two sides in T20 cricket.

Kashif Ali struck a commanding 88 off just 46 balls, his highest T20 score, to help steer Worcestershire Rapids to a six-wicket victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road, and keep their qualification hopes alive.

Kashif was in total control, smashing seven fours and six sixes during a third-wicket stand of 127 with Gareth Roderick (36) - the highest for Worcestershire against any opposition in T20 cricket, beating the previous best accumulated by Brett D'Oliveira and Adam Hose against Yorkshire at Worcester just last month.

Ben Sanderson (2 for 24) removed both set batters in the 15th over, but by then Worcestershire were closing in on victory and sent Northamptonshire to their fourth straight defeat.

Earlier Adam Finch ran through Northamptonshire's middle order, claiming three for 28, including two wickets in four balls, as the hosts tried to kick on after a lacklustre start. It came after Tom Taylor snared 2 for 22 on his return to his old club as the Steelbacks lost three wickets for 11 in 15 balls in the powerplay, finishing the first six overs on just 34 for 3.

Northamptonshire had Sanderson to thank for posting a near competitive total, his 27 off 16 balls helping to propel them to 152 for 9.

Rew reached three figures off just 73 balls, beating Ben Foakes’ 79-ball ton against New Zealand in 2012.

In all, Rew faced 89 balls and in a display of brutal hitting and deft strokeplay, smashed 16 fours and six huge sixes.

England captain Rew shared a stand of 123 in 21 overs with Lancashire’s Rocky Flintoff (39), but a clatter of late wickets left England nine down, needing seven off the final over.

Middlesex’s Seb Morgan held his nerve to smash a boundary to seal the win with th...

Indian 14-year-old breakout star Vaibhav Suryavanshi hit the third fastest half-century in India Under 19s history off an astonishing 20 balls to set up victory over England in this third Youth One-Day International at Northampton and go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

Suryavanshi showed the prowess which earned him worldwide headlines earlier this year when he made the second fastest century in IPL history. Striking six fours and nine sixes in the run-chase, Suryavanshi was in total command as he made a scintillating 86 from just 31 deliveries, flaying England's bowlers to all corners.

Such was his rate of scoring that, by the time he was dismissed, India were already 111 for two after only eight overs, and, with Vihaan Malhotra showing exquisite timing in a knock of 46 (34 balls. seven fours, one six), India looked on course for a quick victory. However, Malhotra's wicket was the first of three to fall for 30 in six overs before an unbroken, positive partnership of 75 in 11.1 overs between Kanishk Chouhan (43) and RS Ambrish (31) saw India home with 33 balls to spare.

For England, Somerset keeper-batter Thomas Rew continued his sparkling form, cracking an unbeaten 76 off just 44 balls to help England post 268 for six. Rew followed up his 131 on Monday, smiting nine fours and three sixes in a match reduced to 40 overs a side after morning rain.

Kent's Ben Dawkins made 62 off 61 balls (8 fours, 1 six), his highest score in Youth ODIs to give England a solid platform in an opening stand of 78 with Isaac Mohammed (41).

But while Hampshire's Ben Mayes made 31, England suffered a mini collapse, losing four for 35 runs in 6.3 overs before Rew and Ralphie Albert (21) staged a 60-run stand in 8.2 overs. Rew then wrapped up the innings, hitting 21 off the penultimate over.

Somerset wicketkeeper-batter Thomas Rew scored a sensational 131 to break the record for the fastest century for England Under-19s and propel his country to a dramatic one-wicket win in this second one-day international against India at Northampton.

Rew reached three figures off just 73 balls, beating Ben Foakes' 79-ball ton against New Zealand in 2012. In all, Rew faced 89 balls in a display of brutal hitting and deft strokeplay, smashing 16 fours and six huge sixes.

England captain Rew shared a stand of 123 in 21 overs with Lancashire's Rocky Flintoff (39) but a clatter of late wickets left England nine down, needing seven off the final over. Middlesex's Seb Morgan held his nerve to hit a boundary to seal the win with three balls to spare as England levelled the five-match series 1-1.

With the ball, Surrey seamer Alex French took 4 for 71, while Leicestershire's Alex Green and Worcestershire's Jack Home each claimed three wickets as India were bowled out for 290 in exactly 49 overs.

All of England's seamers were guilty of spraying the ball, contributing an extra 26 runs in wides towards India's eventual total. But after 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi (45) set the tone up top with Vihaan Malhotra (49), England pegged India back to 171 for 5. A quickfire sixth-wicket partnership of 78 in 12 overs between Rahul Kumar and Kanishk Chouhan reinvigorated the innings, allowing India to set a competitive total before French wrapped up the tail. RS Ambrish took the bulk of the wickets for India, finishing with figures of 4 for 80.

Luke Procter and James Sales both hit brilliant centuries to crown a remarkable Northamptonshire run chase against Middlesex as they reached their 311-run target in just over two sessions with 10 overs to spare at Wantage Road. It took Northamptonshire to their second Rothesay County Championship win of the season by five wickets and keeps their hopes of promotion alive.

Luke Procter and James Sales both hit brilliant centuries to crown a remarkable Northamptonshire run chase against Middlesex as they reached their 311-run target in just over two sessions with 10 overs to spare at Wantage Road. It took Northamptonshire to their second County Championship win of the season by four wickets and keeps their hopes of promotion alive.

Procter played a true captain's innings of 107, his second ton of the campaign in a third wicket partnership of 156 in 26.4 overs with Sales who picked up the mantle when his captain fell, going on to make 108.

Middlesex skipper Toby Roland-Jones (2-48) was left to rue his declaration calculations despite the visitors adding another 117 runs for the loss of five wickets in the morning session, Max Holden making 54 and Ryan Higgins a quickfire 44. With Roland-Jones calling time on 332-8, Calvin Harrison finished with figures of 4-107, while Liam Guthrie (2-60) took a further wicket to register a career best match haul of 9-154.

It left Northamptonshire with 73 overs to reach their target at 4.2 runs per over, a rate they matched and then exceeded as the day wore on. Middlesex will also reflect on their fielding performance with Procter given three lives off dropped catches on 12, 27 and 88.

Josh de Caires struck his highest first-class score, to put Middlesex in a strong position at the end of day three of this Rothesay County Championship match at Wantage Road. Playing his first game of the season, de Caires, who has batted at No. 7 for the last couple of years as a spinning allrounder, shared an opening stand of 89 with Sam Robson, the Seaxes finishing the day on 215 for 3, a lead of 193.

De Caires' 87, from 144 balls with 12 fours, helped wrestle back the initiative for Middlesex after allrounder Justin Broad hit 70 (81 balls, 10 fours) and combined with Lloyd Pope in a record 10th wicket partnership for Northamptonshire against Middlesex to earn a slender first-innings lead.

Broad and Pope's heroics came after Ryan Higgins' hat-trick spearheaded a Northamptonshire batting collapse in the morning session. From a dominant 342 for 5, the hosts lost four wickets for eight runs in just 4.2 overs after Saif Zaib posted an excellent 102, his fourth century of the summer (170 balls, 13 fours), the first Northamptonshire batter since Ben Duckett in 2016 to reach that milestone.

Higgins finished with figures of 3 for 48 while spinner Zafar Gohar took a further wicket to complete a five-for.

By Jeremy Blackmore

TOM MOORES smashed 53 off just 27 balls to help set up a 24-run victory over the Steel-backs at Wantage Road.

Joe Cracknell scored an unbeaten 106, his maiden first-class century, while Leus du Plooy struck 66 as Middlesex staged a spirited fightback against Northamptonshire on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match at Wantage Road.

Keeper-batter Cracknell, whose previous first-class best was just 33, having largely played white-ball cricket to date, played a superbly-paced innings, facing 164 balls and striking 11 fours and a six to take the visitors to 397 for 8 at stumps. It was Cracknell's third century of the week after tons in each innings of Middlesex's Second XI game against Glamorgan at Radlett.

Middlesex bounced back after Liam Guthrie, who took 6 for 87 with the Kookaburra ball, his first five-wicket haul for Northamptonshire, had the Seaxes reeling on 33 for 3 inside the first half an hour, removing the visitors top order.

But du Plooy started to revive Middlesex's fortunes, sharing two 60-run stands, first with Ryan Higgins and then with Ben Geddes. When they fell, Middlesex were still in a precarious position at 160 for 6 before Cracknell and Luke Hollman (51) combined to add 103 for the seventh wicket. Cracknell was then joined by Zafar Gohar and Toby Roland-Jones in stands of 81 and 53 at the end of a satisfactory first day in charge for Middlesex's new men's first-team coach Dane Vilas.

Tom Moores smashed 53 off just 27 balls to help set up a 24-run Vitality Blast victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road.

Moores struck five fours and three sixes to regain the initiative for the Outlaws after they made just 33 for 2 in the powerplay. He shared a 43-run partnership with Jack Haynes (32) in five overs. However, the visitors were still well behind the pace on 111 for 5 after 16 overs before Moores blazed 20 off one over from Luke Procter and, with three of the lower order each smashing a six, Nottinghamshire closed on a competitive 164 for 8.

Ricardo Vasconcelos and Justin Broad started briskly in the chase, but the hosts lost early wickets and failed to push on, struggling on 50 for 4 after 10 overs. Outlaws offspinners Matt Montgomery (3 for 22) and Farhan Ahmed (2 for 23) were key in putting the squeeze on the hosts.

David Willey thumped two sixes in his 20 and while Saif Zaib and Lewis McManus put on 45 in 4.3 overs, the game finished in a clatter of wickets, the last five falling in 12 balls.

JIMMY NEESHAM starred with bat and ball to propel Durham to a 15-run victory at Wantage Road and end Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ six-game winning streak.

Making his first return to Northampton since his stint for the county in 2022, Nee-sham was largely to thank for Durham’s total of 157 for eight. The New Zealander made 50 off 34 after Durham slumped to 77 for five after 10 overs and 113 for six after 16.

Jimmy Neesham starred with bat and ball to propel Durham to a 15-run Vitality Blast victory at Wantage Road and end Northamptonshire Steelbacks' six-game winning streak.

Making his first return to Northampton since his stint for the county in 2022, Neesham was largely to thank for Durham's total of 157 for 8. The New Zealander made 50 off 34 balls after Durham slumped to 77 for 5 after 10 overs and 113 for 6 after 16. Skipper Alex Lees hit 29 at the top of the innings, while Will Rhodes made 27 in a sixth-wicket partnership of 36 with Neesham to begin the recovery.

In the chase, Matt Breetzke made 41 off 36 balls, while Justin Broad made a valiant 30. But spinners Nathan Sowter (1 for 12) and Callum Parkinson (2 for 16) applied the screws, conceding just two boundaries in a decisive, miserly six-over spell together before Neesham nipped in to take three wickets for 29 in the closing overs, the Steelbacks finishing on 142 for 8.

Ben Sanderson sealed an historic, unprecedented sixth straight Vitality Blast victory for Northamptonshire Steelbacks with three wickets in the penultimate over against Birmingham Bears at Wantage Road. Sanderson finished with figures of 3 for 31 as the hosts wrapped up a dramatic 10-run victory.

With Moeen Ali well set on 31, the Bears needed 24 off the last two overs before Sanderson broke through, collecting three wickets in four balls, including the dangerous Moeen, to extend his tally in this year's competition to 17.

Justin Broad had smashed 60 off 35 balls to help propel Northamptonshire Steelbacks to 184 for 6. Matthew Breetzke also struck 53 off 36 balls, his first half-century of the season, during a partnership of 59 in six overs with skipper David Willey (34).

Birmingham's Pakistan international Hassan Ali finished with figures of 3 for 42 including two wickets off consecutive deliveries in the Steelbacks' final over.

Dan Mousley led the charge for the Bears with a brilliant 68 off 42 balls, with Tom Latham contributing 34. George Scrimshaw backed up career-best figures at Derby with 2 for 25, while Willey also claimed two.

Yorkshire seamer George Hill finished with figures of three wickets for 64 for England Lions as India A batted out most of the final day of this second unofficial Test at Northampton before declaring. The Lions then had a scare, losing three quick wickets in the evening session before the captains shook hands on this, the second draw of the two-match series.

Chris Woakes staked his claim for a place in England’s starting XI for the upcoming Test series against India with a trademark bowling performance for England Lions in this second unofficial Test Match against India A at Northampton.

Woakes proved the only bowler to keep Indian opener KL Rahul in check as he acclimatised perfectly to English conditions with a superb 116 off 168 deliveries (15 fours, 1 six).

Woakes, continuing his comeback from injury, was unplayable early on and claimed three wickets for 50, displaying his usual metronomic accuracy to put his name firmly in the frame for the first Test at Headingley.

Nottinghamshire paceman Josh Tongue meanwhile – named along with Woakes in the Test squad – failed to make the most of this opportunity. Although his pace troubled the Indian batters at times, he was much less consistent, going wicketless across 17 overs and conceding 72 runs.

For India A, Rahul shared stands of 86 with Karun Nair (40) and 121 with wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel (52), the visitors closing on 319 for seven. Yorkshire all-rounder George Hill (2-56) impressed against this international-quality line-up, picking up Rahul and Jurel in consecutive overs and finishing the day with an economy rate of 3.11.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.