Cricket

Lancashire Cricket Club has secured the services of Australian all-rounder Chris Green for the next two seasons of the Vitality T20 Blast. Green, 31, played a pivotal role in Lancashire's successful Blast campaign this summer, emerging as their leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps. His contributions helped the club qualify for the knockout stages, although he was unavailable for their quarter-final defeat due to prior commitments in the Caribbean Premier League.Green's contract includes the option to participate in the County Championship and One-Day Cup, subject to availability. In 2024, he made six appearances in the One-Day Cup, scoring his maiden century, and one in the Championship for Lancashire.Expressing his excitement about returning to Lancashire, Green said, "I absolutely loved my first year with the club and I am even more excited to be coming back for the next two seasons. It is a really special group of players at Lancashire. I know that there are big things to come, and I am looking forward to playing my part in that during 2025 and 2026."Lancashire's director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, hailed Green's impact on the team. "Chris made a huge impact for us on the field and had a number of options and offers to play around the world, but we are delighted that he has committed to being here at Emirates Old Trafford," Chilton said. "Not only did Chris' performances with bat and ball stand out this season, but he also really impressed us with his leadership and his personality had a huge influence on the dressing room."Meanwhile, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club has re-signed South African top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the first half of the 2025 summer. Breetzke will be available for Northants' first eight games in the County Championship, as well as the whole of the Blast group stage.Breetzke, 25, was Northants' leading run-scorer in the 2024 Blast, amassing 460 runs at a strike rate of 153.84. His contributions helped the club reach the quarter-finals."I'm delighted to sign with Northamptonshire for the 2025 season," Breetzke said. "I really enjoyed my time at the club this year. I think the team has a lot of potential to push for promotion as well as go a few steps further in the Blast and win it. I'm looking forward to helping the team and hopefully achieving many more victories along the way."

Northamptonshire Steelbacks have secured the return of Australian spinner Ashton Agar for their Vitality Blast quarter-final clash against Somerset on September 5. Agar, who was signed as a replacement for Sikandar Raza during the group stage, played a pivotal role in Northants' qualification from the North Group in second spot, helping them secure four wins out of five.The club is also exploring the possibility of bringing back Matthew Breetzke, the South African opener who is currently Northants' leading run-scorer in this year's Blast with 460 runs at a strike rate of 153.84. However, head coach John Sadler emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with Cricket South Africa.Breetzke was recently involved in South Africa's Test tour of the West Indies but is not part of the squad currently playing a three-match T20I series. "We're hopeful that Matt will be able to get over, but we're not sure how that's going to pan out," Sadler said. "We obviously want to get him back because he's been brilliant for us, but we'll see how it unfolds."Sadler acknowledged that the situation is beyond the control of both Northants and Breetzke. "I know he's desperate to come back, but he's on the verge of playing for South Africa in all three formats, so that's understandably his main driver," Sadler said. "I also know that he so wants to come back and play for us that he's happy to fly in, play, and fly back out, but that is a situation that we'll have to negotiate with Cricket South Africa."Agar, who opted to go freelance earlier this year, will be available after completing a stint at the Global T20 Canada. His return strengthens Northants' options ahead of the sold-out game at Wantage Road against the defending champions. "Ashton is in, he's booked to come back, and he's incredibly excited," Sadler said. "He has been over at a tournament in Canada, so he's off back home to spend some time with his family, but then he'll be back with us, so we're absolutely delighted with that."

Derbyshire Falcons secured a thrilling 24-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in a rain-affected North Group match at Derby. Aneurin Donald's blistering innings of 68 off 26 balls, including eight sixes, propelled Derbyshire to a competitive total of 123 for 3 in 11 overs before a thunderstorm halted play.Matthew Breetzke played a superb knock for Steelbacks, scoring 94 off 54 balls and sharing an 81-run partnership with Sikandar Raza. However, Derbyshire's bowlers, led by Daryn Dupavillon's 3-43, restricted Steelbacks to 193 for 8.With rain reducing the target to 187 from 19 overs, Donald's explosive start gave Derbyshire the upper hand. He smashed sixes off David Willey, Ben Sanderson, and Raphy Weatherall, reaching his half-century in just 19 balls. David Lloyd (33) and Cam Fletcher kept the momentum going, ensuring Derbyshire stayed ahead of the required run rate.Steelbacks began cautiously, scoring only six runs in the first two overs. Breetzke then took charge, hitting three fours off Pat Brown. Ricardo Vasconcelos was dismissed by Dupavillon, but Breetzke continued to impress, pulling Zak Chappell for six.After a brief rain delay, Breetzke and Ravi Bopara steadied the innings before Bopara was caught by Ross Whiteley. Breetzke and Raza then accelerated, plundering 79 runs in five overs. Breetzke reached his half-century and surpassed his previous T20 best of 80, hitting three consecutive fours off Dupavillon.Brown and Chappell restricted Steelbacks in the final overs, taking four wickets and conceding only 11 runs. Derbyshire's chase got off to a flying start, with Donald hitting three sixes in the first five overs. He reached his half-century in 19 balls, but was dismissed in the seventh over.Despite Bopara and Patel's dismissals, Derbyshire had done enough to secure the victory before the rain intervened.

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club has secured the services of South African top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the upcoming Vitality T20 Blast. The 25-year-old, who has represented his country in three T20Is, will bolster the Steelbacks' batting lineup alongside Zimbabwean allrounder Sikandar Raza.Breetzke's impressive domestic T20 performances caught the attention of Northamptonshire head coach John Sadler. "Matt is a highly capable batter who will bring power, experience, and determination to our side," Sadler said. "He fits the profile of the player we were looking for as our second overseas signing."In the recently concluded SA20, Breetzke emerged as the third-highest run-scorer with 416 runs at a strike rate of 135.50 for the Durban Super Giants. He continued his prolific form in the CSA T20 Challenge, topping the run-scoring charts with 467 runs for the Warriors.Breetzke expressed his excitement about joining the Steelbacks. "I am very grateful for this opportunity," he said. "I hope to make a significant contribution both on and off the field during my time at the club."Northamptonshire's decision to sign Breetzke reflects the club's commitment to strengthening its squad for the Vitality T20 Blast. The tournament, which features some of the world's best T20 players, is a major focus for the Steelbacks.With Breetzke and Raza in their ranks, Northamptonshire will be hoping to make a deep run in the competition and challenge for the title. The Steelbacks will begin their Vitality T20 Blast campaign on May 26 against the Birmingham Bears.