Unchanged 14 named for Steelbacks at home

“It was a flat day at the office against Leicestershire. I thought we batted extremely well. We lost early wickets, but the partnership between Ashton Turner and Ollie Robinson was fantastic and I felt that we got enough runs on the board. Unfortunately, if you don’t bowl well, especially in the powerplay, you get found out and that’s what happened.

It’s hard to stop the momentum when you get off to a bad start. In the last couple of games we’ve been able to do that, but eventually, you’re going to get found out. Overall, we might have to chalk it up to a poor bowling performance, but these things happen. It’s T20, if you’re not on your game, you get found out. Unfortunately, today, we were on the wrong side of the coin. We know that any team can beat anyone and if you have a bad day, you get found out. Leicestershire are a good team and have excellent fast bowlers. If you look at the competition so far everyone has beaten everyone. It’s the beauty of the competition and everyone should enjoy it for what it is. It’s a showpiece and long may it continue.”

Squad v Northamptonshire Steelbacks [6th June]

Jonathan Bushnell, Graham Clark, Bas de Leede, Luke Doneathy, Brandon Glover, Michael Jones, Alex Lees, Wayne Parnell, Ben Raine, Luke Robinson, Ollie Robinson +, Nathan Sowter, Liam Trevaskis, Ashton Turner

Opposition Corner

Captain: David Willey

Overseas players: Chris Lynn (Australia), Andrew Tye (Australia)

Finals Day appearances: 4 (2009, 2013, 2015, 2016)

Titles: 2 (2013, 2016)

2022 finish: Seventh (North Group)

2022 leading runscorer: Chris Lynn (516)

2022 leading wicket taker: Ben Sanderson (16)

Key winter moves: England white ball all-rounder David Willey returns to his childhood club after seven seasons with Yorkshire. In a controversial move following his early return from the IPL, he was awarded the captaincy just two weeks before the start of the Blast, replacing long-time skipper Josh Cobb. Australian quick Andrew Tye provides extra bowling firepower alongside returning countryman Chris Lynn.

The big question: With Lynn’s explosive hitting up top, the Steelbacks started strongly last year but fell away sharply, ending their Blast campaign with four straight defeats. Can they sustain their challenge this year and go one step further with the addition of Willey and Tye?

Wildcard watch: Saif Zaib – Came of age last season, nailing down a first-team place and earning himself a short-term Hundred deal with Northern Superchargers. While he didn’t play, his call-up was just reward for a consistent Blast campaign (311 runs), and a strong start to the One Day Cup with 136 against Essex. He also adds another bowling option with his slow-left arm deliveries.

Final thought: Northamptonshire have bolstered their squad and in Lynn and Tye, boast the Big Bash’s all-time leading runscorer and second highest wicket-taker. Willey, with 107 England caps and plenty of captaincy experience, now has to galvanise the club after a tough start to the Championship and several injuries.

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