Cricket

Lancashire's George Balderson played a pivotal role in securing their first victory in this year's Metro Bank One Day Cup, breaking a six-game losing streak. His spirited 53 off 67 balls, along with Josh Boyden's unbeaten 44 off 35 balls, propelled Lancashire to a respectable total of 240 for 9.Northamptonshire's bowlers, led by Ben Sanderson and Saif Zaib, had initially put Lancashire under pressure, reducing them to 152 for 7. However, Balderson and Boyden's crucial partnership of 65 revived Lancashire's innings. Balderson struck five fours and a six, while Boyden remained composed, ensuring a competitive total.In the run chase, Justin Broad emerged as Northamptonshire's top scorer, hitting a career-best 63. He shared a crucial 77-run partnership with skipper Lewis McManus, keeping Lancashire on their toes. Boyden, however, proved to be a thorn in Northamptonshire's side, claiming two wickets, including McManus's.Despite a valiant effort from Gus Miller, who scored a gutsy 27, Northamptonshire fell just short of their target, losing by a narrow margin of four runs. Lancashire's bowlers, particularly Boyden, held their nerve in the tense run chase, securing a much-needed victory.

Somerset's Andy Umeed led his team to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Wantage Road. Umeed's commanding 63 off 66 balls, including six fours and two sixes, propelled Somerset to a comfortable chase of 156.Northamptonshire's innings was anchored by Saif Zaib's lone hand of 57, but they were bundled out for 155 inside 38 overs. Josh Davey's early double strike and Archie Vaughan's maiden senior wicket contributed to the Steelbacks' collapse.Somerset's chase got off to a blistering start as Umeed and George Thomas raced to 50 off just 31 balls. Thomas' dismissal for 28 brought Lewis Goldsworthy to the crease, who continued the momentum with a fluent 20.Umeed reached his half-century with a nonchalant pull for four and later launched a towering six over deep midwicket. However, he was eventually caught behind for 63, leaving James Rew and Sean Dickson to guide Somerset home.Somerset's victory will boost their confidence ahead of next month's Vitality Blast T20 quarter-final against Northamptonshire. The match also marked a crucial early breakthrough for Somerset, who had been tormented by Prithvi Shaw in last season's corresponding fixture. Shaw was dismissed for 12, giving Somerset a much-needed psychological edge.

Northamptonshire's seamers dominated Worcestershire's top order, setting up a comprehensive 130-run victory in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash at Wantage Road.Chasing 296, Worcestershire slumped to 34 for 5, with Justin Broad claiming three wickets and Jack White bagging two. Tom Taylor threatened a repeat of his century against Worcestershire last summer, smashing 57 off 49 balls, but his departure ended their hopes. Saif Zaib took three wickets for 44, including two in one over, as the visitors were bowled out with 11 overs to spare.Earlier, Prithvi Shaw continued his impressive form in the One-Day Cup, hitting a swashbuckling 72 off 59 balls. George Bartlett (60) and Ricardo Vasconcelos (68) shared a partnership of 107, taking Northamptonshire to 215 for 1 in the 40th over. However, both batters fell in quick succession, and the hosts would have been disappointed at not setting a steeper target.Fateh Singh claimed career-best List A figures of 3 for 51. Shaw got Northamptonshire off to a flying start, taking boundaries off the first two balls of the match. He hit Taylor over long-on for six and clubbed Hishaam Khan down the ground for four.Ethan Brookes slowed Northamptonshire's progress, but Khan claimed Shaw's wicket when the Indian international was caught behind attempting to hook. Bartlett found his fluency, driving Singh through cover and bringing up Northamptonshire's 150. Vasconcelos struggled initially but changed his approach after the drinks break, sweeping Singh for consecutive boundaries and bringing up his 50.Bartlett reached his half-century, but Brookes' pressure forced him to manufacture a shot against Singh and was caught at backward point. Libby turned to his part-time offbreaks, accounting for Vasconcelos first ball. Zaib tried to regain momentum, but Northamptonshire lost three quick wickets after passing 250. Singh bowled James Sales and Zaib, while Lewis McManus holed out at deep midwicket off Taylor. Gus Miller finished the innings with a late blitz, pummelling Taylor down the ground for six.When Worcestershire batted, Ed Pollock swung White's second delivery over deep midwicket for six before he was dropped at wide mid-on. White struck next ball, with Gareth Roderick caught low down at first slip by Shaw. Pollock was bowled by White, and the visitors lost a third wicket when Rob Jones steered Ben Sanderson to Vasconcelos at short leg.Broad struck twice in four balls, trapping Brookes lbw and having Rehaan Edavalath caught at first slip by Shaw. Libby hit a rare loose ball from White for four, and Taylor put his foot down, bringing up his 50 off 38 balls. However, he fell soon after the drinks break, lbw to Zaib.Singh swept Zaib for six and hit him straight for another maximum before he top-edged to short fine leg off Freddie Heldreich. A double wicket from Zaib accounted for Khan and Hinley, and Harry Darley was caught behind to give Broad his third wicket.

Durham's Colin Ackermann notched his maiden List A century to guide his team to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at the Riverside.Ackermann's unbeaten 108 anchored Durham's chase of Northamptonshire's 260, which they achieved with 11 balls to spare. The Steelbacks' innings had been propelled by Prithvi Shaw's 71-ball 97, but Durham's spinners stifled the run rate to set up their second win of the competition.Northamptonshire's innings started with a flurry of boundaries, but Bas de Leede's wicket-maiden halted their momentum. Shaw continued to dominate, reaching his fifty in 31 balls, but his innings was cut short by a top-edged sweep to Mitch Killeen.George Drissell and Paul Coughlin claimed further wickets to leave Northamptonshire on 162 for three. Ackermann and Borthwick's spin duo then took control, restricting the visitors to 260 all out.Durham's chase began cautiously, with Michael Jones and Ben McKinney dismissed early. However, Ackermann and Alex Lees formed a crucial partnership, adding 133 runs for the third wicket. Lees departed for 55, but Ackermann continued his assault, reaching his century in 95 balls.Ackermann's dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, with Borthwick and Haydon Mustard also falling cheaply. However, de Leede's unbeaten 15 ensured Durham crossed the finish line with ease.Ackermann's match-winning knock and the spinners' impressive performance were key factors in Durham's victory. Northamptonshire, on the other hand, must win their remaining four matches to qualify for the knockout stages.

Middlesex's Mark Stoneman and Nathan Fernandes orchestrated a remarkable victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Radlett. The duo's 128-run partnership propelled Middlesex to a five-wicket triumph, lifting them out of the Group A cellar.Northamptonshire, batting first, posted a formidable 317 for nine, thanks to Gus Miller's career-best 73, Prithvi Shaw's 76, and Saif Zaib's 58. Justin Broad's unbeaten 38 from just 20 deliveries provided a late surge for the Steelbacks.Middlesex's chase began promisingly, with Joe Cracknell and Josh de Caires putting on 50 for the first wicket. However, Broad's double-wicket over, dismissing Cracknell and Sam Robson, threatened to derail their momentum.Stoneman and Fernandes then took control, adding 128 for the fourth wicket. Stoneman, who reached his half-century at a run a ball, dominated the strike, while Fernandes provided the impetus with three consecutive fours off Zaib.After Stoneman's departure, Fernandes continued the assault, before being caught in the deep. Martin Andersson and Jack Davies then sealed the victory with 11 deliveries to spare, with Davies smashing 20 off Broad's final over.Broad's three wickets for 65 proved insufficient for Northamptonshire, who now languish at the bottom of Group A with three consecutive defeats. Middlesex, on the other hand, have kick-started their campaign with a much-needed win.

Hampshire's Ben Brown celebrated his 100th List A appearance with a magnificent century, leading his team to a 71-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.After Northamptonshire captain Lewis McManus opted to bowl first, Hampshire found themselves in early trouble at 25 for three, with Jack White claiming the wickets of Fletcha Middleton, Nick Gubbins, and Tom Prest. However, Brown steadied the ship, forming a 51-run partnership with Toby Albert and a substantial 188-run stand with Felix Organ.Brown's innings was a masterclass in shot-making, showcasing his exceptional timing and ability to score square of the wicket. He reached his third century of the season in 100 balls, hitting a controlled hook shot to the boundary. Organ also contributed with a brisk 59 off 51 balls.Hampshire's total of 285 for 8 looked improbable after White's early burst, but Brown's heroics and Organ's support proved crucial.Northamptonshire's chase started promisingly, with Prithvi Shaw and Emilio Gay putting on 56 runs in the first nine overs. However, Eddie Jack's introduction proved to be a turning point. The teenager dismissed Shaw and Gay in quick succession, and Northamptonshire's innings began to unravel.Ricardo Vasconcelos, Rob Keogh, and George Bartlett all fell cheaply, leaving Northamptonshire in a hole. McManus and Saif Zaib offered some resistance, but Jack and Tom Prest continued to pick up wickets, eventually dismissing Northamptonshire for 214.Gus Miller fought hard for 47, but Jack's miserly spell and Prest's three wickets proved too much for the Steelbacks. Jack completed Hampshire's victory by dismissing White, securing a 71-run win for the hosts.

Derbyshire's Zak Chappell produced a stunning all-round performance to guide his team to a remarkable eight-wicket victory over Northamptonshire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Chasing 236 to win at Wantage Road, Derbyshire found themselves in dire straits at 79 for seven. However, Chappell joined forces with skipper Ross Whiteley and turned the tide with a record-breaking eighth-wicket partnership of 131.Chappell, who had earlier claimed career-best bowling figures of 4 for 39, smashed an unbeaten 94 off 88 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes. Whiteley contributed a valuable 65 as the pair steered Derbyshire to an unlikely triumph.Northamptonshire's innings had been anchored by half-centuries from Emilio Gay (59) and George Bartlett (50). Saif Zaib and Lewis McManus also chipped in with useful contributions, but a late collapse saw the Steelbacks lose five wickets for 22 runs in quick succession.Samit Patel played a key role in the Derbyshire bowling attack, taking 3 for 41. Teenage pacer Raphy Weatherall impressed on his List A debut, claiming 4 for 50, but his efforts proved insufficient as Chappell and Whiteley stole the show.Derbyshire's victory was their second in the competition, while Northamptonshire suffered their first defeat. The result leaves Derbyshire in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages, while Northamptonshire will need to bounce back in their remaining fixtures.

Sussex's relentless bowling attack, led by Nathan McAndrew's five-wicket haul, propelled them to a resounding 63-run victory over Northamptonshire in the Vitality County Championship Division Two.McAndrew, the Australian overseas signing, proved unstoppable, claiming two wickets in three balls to dismantle Northamptonshire's batting lineup. His impressive figures of 5 for 73 played a pivotal role in restricting the hosts to 220 all out.The victory was set up by a devastating spell from England seamer Ollie Robinson, who removed both Northamptonshire openers in quick succession. Robinson's fiery pace and bounce proved too much for Matthew Breetzke and Rob Keogh, leaving the hosts reeling at 137 for 4.Despite a stubborn eighth-wicket partnership between Justin Broad (45) and Ben Sanderson (24), McAndrew's return to the attack proved decisive. He swiftly dismissed Sanderson and Raphy Weatherall, leaving Northamptonshire on the brink of defeat.Broad, however, showed immense resilience, smashing McAndrew for a four, a six, and a boundary. But his valiant effort was ultimately in vain as James Coles took a crucial catch in the deep to seal Sussex's victory.Sussex's triumph consolidates their position at the top of Division Two, while Northamptonshire remains winless this season. The victory is a testament to the depth and quality of Sussex's bowling attack, which has been a key factor in their success this summer.

Sussex's Ollie Robinson, overlooked for England's Test squad, made a resounding statement with a four-wicket haul as Northamptonshire were bowled out for a paltry 97 on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash at Wantage Road.Robinson, who had previously taken four wickets against Yorkshire, found his rhythm after a shaky start, exploiting the movement on offer to dismantle the Steelbacks' batting lineup. Northamptonshire had raced to 43 without loss before Nathan McAndrew triggered a collapse with two wickets in two balls.Sussex had earlier been dismissed for 143, with Northamptonshire seamer Jack White claiming four wickets for 23 runs. The visitors struggled against the testing seam bowling on a green-tinged pitch, losing six wickets for 47 in 19 overs after lunch despite several dropped catches from the hosts.Tom Haines led Sussex's fightback in their second innings, hitting 45 as they closed on 83 for 2, 129 ahead. Haines had earlier been dismissed for 35 in Sussex's first innings, while Daniel Hughes top-scored with 35 before being caught behind.Northamptonshire's batting woes continued as Ricardo Vasconcelos was caught for 33, while McAndrew picked up two wickets in two balls thanks to stunning fielding from Haines. South African T20 international Matthew Breetzke was adjudged lbw to give McAndrew his fourth wicket.Prithvi Shaw looked impressive for Northamptonshire, hitting two boundaries off Sean Hunt before being dismissed by Robinson for 31. Robinson went on to claim three more wickets, including the key scalp of Shaw, as Northamptonshire were bowled out for 97.Sussex lost an early wicket in their second innings when Hughes was trapped lbw by White, but Haines took the attack to the Northamptonshire bowlers, smashing eight boundaries in a 63-run stand with Tom Alsop.