Northamptonshire Steelbacks will be looking to make it five wins from five when they face Durham at the Banks Homes Riverside.
The Steelbacks pulled off a remarkable run chase against Warwickshire on Sunday, courtesy of an unbeaten Chris Lynn century. His 115* was the highest T20 score by a Steelbacks player in the Blast and capped off a wonderful afternoon in Birmingham.
Although Durham are familiar opponents of the Steelbacks, the new format means that this is one of the crossover games. The side have had a mixed start, winning two and losing two.
The game is set to start at 7pm on Saturday and there will be no livestream as the match will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports. You can follow all of the action on our social media channels, with live updates throughout.
Squad news:
There is a squad of 14 heading to Durham as Louis Kimber drops out of the squad after suffering a hamstring injury in the win against Warwickshire. Kimber is expected to miss around 3/4 weeks of action but there is hope that his return could come sooner.
We spoke to Head Coach Darren Lehmann about Chris Lynn’s century, the crossover game against Durham, and keeping momentum.
Steelbacks Men’s squad to face Durham:
David Willey (c), George Bartlett, Justin Broad, Calvin Harrison, Chris Lynn, Lewis McManus (wk), Nathan McSweeney, Luke Procter, James Sales, Ben Sanderson, George Scrimshaw, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Raphy Weatherall, Saif Zaib
Durham
Previewed by Graham Hardcastle, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Captain: Alex Lees
Overseas players: David Bedingham (South Africa, all)
Finals Day appearances: Two (2008, 2016)
Titles: None
2025 finish: Quarter-finalists
2025 leading run-scorer: Alex Lees (431)
2025 leading wicket-taker: James Neesham (21)
Key winter moves: Last season’s leading wicket-taker James Neesham, the experienced New Zealand international, has not been re-signed, with South African batter David Bedingham expected to be the sole overseas player. Kasey Aldridge played in last season’s Blast whilst on loan with Somerset but has since signed permanently. Paul Coughlin (Lancashire), Mitchell Killeen (Essex) and Bas de Leede (released) have all departed.
The big question: One of four counties who have never won the Blast alongside Derbyshire, Glamorgan and Yorkshire, that could do with changing sooner rather than later. Is this the year? Durham encouraged last year with a run to the quarter-finals – beaten at home by Hampshire – so they are definitely capable of success. It’s just about performing in the big moments.
Final thought: There is one key move which doesn’t fall into the ‘winter’ category given it has only just happened. Durham’s long-standing director of cricket Marcus North – he was appointed up at the Banks Homes Riverside back in 2018 – was last week appointed as England’s new national men’s selector, replacing the outgoing Luke Wright. Will that destabilise Durham’s Blast campaign? With a hugely experienced and highly rated coach in Ryan Campbell at the helm, it shouldn’t do.