Vitality Blast 2020
Tue 1 September, 18:30

The County Ground, Northampton

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Northamptonshire Steelbacks

Northamptonshire Steelbacks

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VS Pre Match {{ statuses[scorecard.match_overview.status_id] }} Day {{ scorecard.match_overview.match_day }} One day T20 The Hundred
Northamptonshire Steelbacks

Bears

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Vitality Blast Report: Northants v Bears

Nathan Buck’s interventions either side of the interval helped Northamptonshire to a 38-run win over Birmingham Bears and gave them a third straight win in the Vitality Blast to extend their lead at the top of the Central group.

Buck swung 16 in 8 balls from the final 10 deliveries of the Northamptonshire innings to lift them to 158 for 7 having been sent in, before his double-wicket maiden in the fourth over of the chase rocked the Bears who never recovered and were bowled out for just 120 in the final over.


That Northamptonshire would win so handsomely did not seem likely when they were 135 for 7 in the 19th over. But Buck pulled Henry Brookes over midwicket for six and steered Olly Stone wide of third man for four.

He then removed both openers with slower balls as Ian Bell and Ed Pollock swung to Ben Sanderson on the edge of the ring. And when Graeme White bowled Adam Hose, with a beauty that turned just enough, and Will Rhodes reverse sweeping, the Bears were out of the chase at 38 for 5 after 8.1 overs.

Buck’s late runs grabbed the momentum at the halfway stage after Northamptonshire had drifted badly having made 66 for 2 in the powerplay. But only 57 runs came in the next 11 overs.


They were dragged back by left-arm chinaman Jake Lintott, 27, who began his career in the Somerset age-groups but here was only playing his sixth professional match. He took 2 for 18 from his four overs, the best figures of his short career.


Jeetan Patel’s off-spin was also typically miserly as he took 2 for 27. Patel removed Paul Stirling for 14 but he and Richard Levi, who made 35 in 28 balls, helped Northamptonshire to a promising start.


Levi struck Stone, back on his old home ground, over long on and cover for two sixes in Stone’s first over. Tim Bresnan was then pulled over midwicket as his first over was taken for 17 before Levi backed away to cut Brookes for six over third man. But he miscued another pull and was taken by Sam Hain running to his left from deep square in the final over of the powerplay.


The hosts then stalled. Josh Cobb lifted Lintott to deep cover for 1 and Alex Wakely pulled at Bresnan, missed and was bowled for 6.

 
Vasconcelos, deputising for Adam Rossington – rested after a blow to the hand on Sunday – began a rebuilding job and made 34 in 29 balls. He cut and swept Patel and then drove and cut Lintott for fours. But advancing at Lintott, was beaten by a flatter delivery and comfortably stumped by Vikai Kelley, an under-17 wicketkeeper from Staffordshire deputising for the ill Michael Burgess. Kelley also stumped Gareth Berg.


Vasconcelos’ departure began a slide but Buck’s cameo and a flat six over cover from White brought 23 runs from the final 11 balls of the innings to swing the match decisively Northamptonshire’s way.

Vitality Blast Preview: Northants v Bears

Jim Troughton is encouraging his side to build on their Vitality Blast start.

After Friday’s home rain-out against Somerset, the Bears completed a six-wicket victory over Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens on Sunday.

Troughton was pleased with all of his side’s effort but earmarked his bowlers who took three wickets in the powerplay and restricted the hosts to an under-par total.

“I was particularly happy with the bowling as we took wickets throughout and that constantly puts them under pressure,” said the First Team Coach. “Glamorgan bat deep, it was a great inning by Chris Cooke which held their innings together, but we did a good job.

“With the bat, I’d like us to be a little braver. After getting them under par I would have liked to finish the game sooner but it’s good to know you’ve got two points and room for improvement.

“We also fielded well as there was a big area square of the wicket in Cardiff and we looked pretty good. It was a good test for us.”

With three points in the bank, the Bears head to Northants on Tuesday (6.30pm) and host Gloucestershire at Edgbaston on Wednesday (6.35pm).

With further games looming, Somerset away on Friday, Troughton is aware that he might need to rotate with matches coming thick and fast.

“We’re going into two games on the bounce so we’re going to have to use the whole squad,” added Troughton. “Hopefully, everyone stays fit which will give me selection headaches but it was a good first run out.

“I was pretty happy to come away from home with two points as that brings confidence. Northants look like the team to beat as they’re a pretty strong side who bat deep with experience so it’ll be a good game.”

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