Northamptonshire Steelbacks return to Wantage Road tomorrow where they take on Birmingham Bears in their sixth game of the Vitality Blast.
The Steelbacks have set the pace in the Vitality Blast as the only team in the North Group to maintain a 100% start to the competition.
Victories over Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Worcestershire and Lancashire leave the side eight points clear at the top of the North Group.
Birmingham Bears have endured a mixed start to their campaign with two losses followed up by back to back victories in their opening four games. The Bears sit fifth, level on points with the qualification spots.
The Steelbacks are once again unchanged, with the same 14 in contention to face the Bears.
Play is set to start at 6:30pm, with the match being shown live on Sky Sports.
We spoke to Head Coach Darren Lehmann about the last week’s victories away from home, different players contributing and how much he is looking forward to being back at Wantage Road.
Opponent preview:
Birmingham Bears
Previewed by Brian Halford, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Captain: Alex Davies
Overseas players: Tom Latham (New Zealand, full competition), Hasan Ali (Pakistan)
2024 finish: Quarter-finals
2024 leading run scorer: Sam Hain (569)
2024 leading wicket taker: Danny Briggs (29)
Key winter moves: It was all change off the field during the close season but the Bears’ T20 side on the field is likely to be little changed beyond the arrival of New Zealand batter Tom Latham. Aussie all-rounder Beau Webster was initially signed for the Blast but has been called up by his national team.