After back-to-back away games, Northamptonshire Steelbacks return to the cinch County Ground tomorrow as they take on Leicestershire Foxes in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
After winning their opening game in the tournament, the Steelbacks slipped to defeats against Kent and Surrey and they currently sit seventh in a tightly contested group.
Leicestershire have also had a mixed start, having won two and lost two from their opening four games. The Foxes started their campaign brightly with wins against Gloucestershire and Surrey, but that was followed by defeats to Lancashire and Nottinghamshire.
Matchday information:
Gates open at 10am, with play starting at the cinch County Ground at 11am tomorrow.
The end of innings interval is scheduled for around 2:30pm, but that is dependent on the outcome of the first innings.
Tickets are available on the gate or can be purchased here.
Squad news:
Head Coach Darren Lehmann has named the same squad for tomorrow’s game but has hinted that their will be changes to the playing eleven.
Steelbacks squad to face Leicestershire:
Nathan McSweeney (c), George Bartlett, Arush Buchake, Yuzi Chahal, Liam Guthrie, Rob Keogh, Shiv Krishna, Dom Leech, Tiaan Louw, Lewis McManus (wk), Gus Miller, Luke Procter, Nirvan Ramesh, Aadi Sharma, Stuart van der Merwe, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Raphy Weatherall
We spoke to Darren Lehmann about bouncing back from the two defeats, the form of Nathan McSweeney and George Bartlett, and giving younger players opportunities.
Leicestershire Foxes
Previewed by Jon Culley – ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Captain: Stephen Eskinazi
2025 Position: 7th (Group A)
2025 Most Runs: Shan Masood (400)
2025 Most Wickets: Alex Green (18)
Why they can win the competition: Leicestershire fans have endured a dismal season thus far but the Foxes have performed well in the 50-over format in recent seasons, winners of this competition in 2023 and semi-finalists in 2024. There is a confidence they can challenge again.
Player to watch: Young pace bowler Alex Green was a sensation in the 2025 competition, taking five wickets in an innings three times. Still only 19, and with more experience in the locker, he will again be a dangerous opponent.
Young gun: Former Surrey academy player Sheridan Gumbs impressed with his quality and composure on his first-class debut for Leicestershire last month. The 22-year-old left-hand batter has a chance to build on that promise after signing a new deal.
Final thought: Leicestershire’s season feels like it might benefit from a reset and installing experienced former Middlesex white-ball captain Eskinazi as 50-overs skipper looks a smart move. The 32-year-old also has an outstanding record in List A cricket, with six centuries in just 29 innings. The addition of well-credentialed young batter Hamza Shaikh on the eve of the tournament is exciting after he agreed a three-year deal.