Official Steelbacks Cricket Magazine

JUNE / JULY 2011 £3.00

SCORECARDS INCLUDED INSIDE

CONTENTS PAGE WITHIN THIS ISSUE

MARK TAGG - WELCOME TO THE COUNTY GROUND

04

DAVID CAPEL - ‘WE ARE FIGHTERS’

07 - 09

ANDREW HALL - ‘ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN’

10/11

t20 REVIEW OF 2010 CAMPAIGN

13/14

STEELBACKS t20 PLAYERS TO WATCH

15

2011 t20 DANGER MEN

17

LEICESTERSHIRE FIXTURE PROFILE

22/23

DURHAM FIXTURE PROFILE

24/25

WARWICKSHIRE FIXTURE PROFILE

26/27

DERBYSHIRE FIXTURE PROFILE

28/29

FIXTURE SCORECARDS

30 - 45

WORCESTERSHIRE FIXTURE PROFILE

46/47

YORKSHIRE FIXTURE PROFILE

48/49

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FIXTURE PROFILE

50/51

LANCASHIRE FIXTURE PROFILE

52/53

NORTHANTS VS. INDIA PROFILE

54/55

CHAMINDA VAAS - ‘I WANT TO PLAY BETTER THAN BEFORE’

61 - 63

JACK BROOKS - ‘WE’LL CARRY ON SURPRISING’

64/65

NCCC PLAYER PROFILES AND AUTOGRAPH PAGES

66/67

NCCC FIXTURE LIST 2011

72/73

NCCC DISABILITY CRICKET

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THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

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WELCOME TO THE COUNTY GROUND

MARK TAGG

WELCOME STEELBACKS FANS,

Times are tough but sport and especially cricket can raise all our spirits.

We go into the next few weeks full of optimism and I do not believe that this is misplaced. We are now an experienced and successful Twenty20 outfit with world class overseas players who can specialise in this, the most thrilling form of the game.

We are delighted to welcome Johan Botha to Northants, fresh from his IPL experience and an ideal replacement for Nicky Boje, who served us so well in recent seasons.

Cricket, and especially Twenty20, is a squad game with 16 matches in such a short period of time. Competitive teams need all their squad experienced and capable of playing and contributing with bat, ball and increasingly in the field. The injuries that we sustained during last year’s campaign could have made us better placed to face this year; younger players got opportunities, and are now pushing the established stars for places.

To be successful we need a combination of good players, leadership, pitches, luck and increasingly great support. This ground is capable of creating a hostile atmosphere as Dominic Cork commented on when referring to that great night when we defended just 134 in the rearranged quarter final against the Hawks on 30th July 2009.

Hampshire lost their last four wickets without adding a run as the noise grew and the passions demanded the best from Andrew Hall and Johan van der Wath.

Last year we started poorly with three defeats, but a great run-in brought us to another quarter final, this time at Taunton where we unfortunately fell short.

I think we can all see how important a good group stage is, we need to get into a position where a home quarter final is a possibility. To do this we need to get off to a good start and so each of the eight home games are vital.

Your support at each of the games (including Milton Keynes) will make the difference, and between us the Steelbacks can represent Northamptonshire with pride and passion worthy of the Men of Steel.

MARK TAGG, NCCC CHIEF EXECUTIVE

‘WE ARE NOW AN EXPERIENCED AND SUCCESSFUL TWENTY20 OUTFIT WITH WORLD CLASS OVERSEAS PLAYERS WHO CAN SPECIALISE IN THIS, THE MOST THRILLING FORM OF THE GAME.’

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‘WE ARE FIGHTERS’

DAVID CAPEL The ethos of ‘Steelbacking’ is clearly displayed in Northants’ Head Coach David Capel’s views and opinions on the talented squad he has built here at the County Ground over the years.

We’ve managed to get to the semi-final on one occasion too. We want to emulate that by working hard to get to the quarters, then pushing to get into the Finals Day. That is our ambition.

The former England all-rounder, who was once dubbed ‘the next Ian Botham’, has been an integral part of the fabric of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club for over 30 years – working his way from youth team player to England international to head coach of a proud cricketing County.

2010 saw an epic rollercoaster of a campaign for Capel’s charges and he was pleased with the ‘exciting brand of cricket’ on show. David was also impressed with the team’s effort and commitment to the cause. “I think it showed us on a couple of occasions last season, what with Andrew Hall’s heroics at Trent Bridge and Nicky Boje pulling off 12 runs off the final ball here to tie an amazing match against Yorkshire, that we are fighters.”

David has seen the introduction of Twenty20 cricket and watched as the format swept its way through the game at all levels. This knowledge has helped him lead a side that has earned a good reputation in the shortest format – achieving numerous quarter finals berths and a Finals Day appearance in the process.

It is this form and the Steelbacks’ growing t20 reputation that has led members of the media to label the County as ‘Dark Horses’ for t20 glory, a tag David seems comfortable with. “I don’t mind that tag at all. Dark horses are a lot better than also-rans or no-hopers. I think it’s a nice tag to have actually. It’s nice when we can beat all-comers every time, but that doesn’t always happen, however we always manage to fight our way into contention. I’m proud of our performances over the past five years. I’d like to think that we are as strong, if not a little stronger than we were in past seasons.

“There are reasons for us to be optimistic, reasons for us to be confident and therefore the dark horses tag sits comfortably for us.”

David continued to reiterate the club’s aims and expectations, when he said, “What we can do is equal our past performance in as much as getting to the quarter final, like we have done in four of the last five years.

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“We never give up and are wholehearted in our approach to t20 cricket. Last season showed that we will never give in, that’s for certain! We found ourselves in tight spots on numerous occasions and invariably, if not all the time, we pulled through. That’s something I’m proud of –the indomitable spirit, the never-say-die attitude. It’s one of our biggest strengths.”

David has overseen the signing of two world class players for the Steelbacks ranks in Johan Botha and Chaminda Vaas for this season’s Friends Life t20 campaign.

After last season, David moved quickly to secure Chaminda for the 2011 season – and ‘Capes’ is confident both will prove to be vital components in the Steelbacks’ charge for Finals Day.

‘WE NEVER GIVE UP AND ARE WHOLEHEARTED IN OUR APPROACH TO T20 CRICKET. LAST SEASON SHOWED THAT WE WILL NEVER GIVE IN, THAT’S FOR CERTAIN! WE FOUND OURSELVES IN TIGHT SPOTS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND INVARIABLY, IF NOT ALL THE TIME, WE PULLED THROUGH.’

“Johan showed us some of the things he is capable of in the World Cup. His batting in particular has really come on. I believe he is a very shrewd, canny off-spin bowler where he has a lot of command over the flight and length of the ball.

He is a very wise cricketer and a hugely competitive one at that. Johan is also very good in the field and will add to that tenacious attitude here at the club. I’m sure he will prove to be a very serious campaigner for us and will add something extra to our squad.

“Chaminda showed us all last year what a superb cricketer he is and, by winning the Most Valuable t20 Player award by a country mile, was testament to his abilities. This just goes to show what type high quality performer he truly is.

Head coach since 2006, David has seen a drastic change in the squad composition. Four seasons ago there were no less than seven South Africans on the County’s books, and now there is a real emergence of fine English talent with the likes of David Willey, Alex Wakely, David Murphy, Rob Newton and Ben Howgego all impressing in first team action. The youthful look of the squad is balanced out with the likes of experienced heads such as David Sales, Mal Loye and Andrew Hall.

“I like the blend,” said David of the squad, “It showed through perfectly over the past couple of years, when you get players such as Alex Wakely and David Willey in there. David Murphy came in and performed superbly, showing all the confidence and performed all his duties well.

“That’s the kind of stage that is there for the youngsters. I’ve been pleased and proud for them, that they have been well equipped to do their job and have gone out and done it. Let’s hope for more of the same and, who knows, maybe some more youngsters can come through as well this season.”

Twenty20 Cricket is the most pressurised of all the cricket formats and for David that is no different, but as he says, “I actually really enjoy it! All my hard work is usually done well in advance. The planning and preparation is done way before the match. I get to watch it unfold and that is enjoyable and exciting.

‘IT SHOWED US ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS LAST SEASON, WHAT WITH ANDREW HALL’S HEROICS AT TRENT BRIDGE AND NICKY BOJE PULLING OFF 12 RUNS OFF THE FINAL BALL HERE TO TIE AN AMAZING MATCH AGAINST YORKSHIRE, THAT WE ARE FIGHTERS’

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

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DAVID CAPEL CONTINUED...

“Yes there are a few decisions to make here and there, and I have to make them on my feet and quickly. But I enjoy that, being part of the communication with the captain, being involved with it. It’s certainly something I look forward to in the summer. Twenty20 cricket is different but it’s as much a part of County cricket now and as enjoyable as the rest.”

After the long Friends Life t20 campaign has played out, Northants will be able to enjoy a two-day tourist match against the current World Champions India, and David spoke about the opportunities a headline match like this can present a player looking to make it into the first XI. “It’s always a great occasion. The players must love it when the tourists come along. I know I’m really looking forward to a competitive match against the current World Champions.

There should be some opportunities for younger cricketers to enjoy this experience. You saw what happened two years ago with the Australians. What a debut Jack Brooks made!

Hopefully there will be a big crowd inside the County ground to enjoy the match.

“You saw Alex Wakely captain against Pakistan last year and I’m sure he enjoyed that experience. These tour matches are always positive. It’s great for the crowd to see some of the household names of cricket – I’m sure they can’t wait to see the Indian ‘gods’ of cricket play.”

For the Northampton-born coach, the Steelbacks’ drive for success will continue to be paramount - success that could be just around the corner for Northants if they build on the positives from of recent t20 campaigns.

Brendan Gilbert

‘THERE ARE REASONS FOR US TO BE OPTIMISTIC, REASONS FOR US TO BE CONFIDENT AND THEREFORE THE DARK HORSES TAG SITS COMFORTABLY FOR US.’

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‘ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN’

ANDREW HALL If Mike Hussey is Australia’s ‘Mr. Cricket’ and Johan Botha is South Africa’s, then Andrew Hall should be the Steelbacks’ ‘Mr t20 cricket’. The captain is not only a vital part of the Steelbacks’ game plan, he’s the one who will lead the team into battle against the might of the Friends Life t20 North Group.

We need to play the brand of cricket that we have played so far this season and I think that if the national newspapers have us down as dark horses, it shows that they are beginning to realise that if we hit the ground running we can be a force to be reckoned with. Other teams will see that and will be wary of us this year.”

Andrew has come back from a winter in Zimbabwe, where he played for and coached Mashonaland Eagles – leading them to t20 glory and the 35-year-old is under no illusions as to what the Steelbacks want to achieve. The all-rounder stated: “We have to get to the quarter-finals. That’s a realistic plan for us to have, and from there, if we play well in the quarters like we did a couple of years ago, we will end up at Finals day.

2011 represents the South African’s first full season as captain, a season where Andrew is determined to make a big impression on the Steelbacks, the supporters and the Friends Life t20.

Over the past couple of years I think we have proven ourselves to a be a formidable t20 cricket team. With the quality of the players we have here at Northants, and the all-round squad we have, I think the very least we should aim for is the quarter finals.”

The skipper seems confident of his team mates’ abilities and is unconcerned when it comes to the labelling of the club’s chances in the media.

“I don’t really look into those things when it comes to t20 cricket. Anything can happen on any given day. All you need is one player to play well and that can turn the game in your favour. In the past we have shown that we have massive match winners in the squad.

‘WE HAVE PROVEN OURSELVES TO BE A FORMIDABLE T20 CRICKET TEAM. WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PLAYERS WE HAVE HERE AT NORTHANTS, AND THE ALL-ROUND SQUAD WE HAVE, I THINK THE VERY LEAST WE SHOULD AIM FOR IS THE QUARTER FINALS.’

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“I don’t just want to leave a mark on this competition, but on every player, coach and supporter of this club. As this is my first full season here, I’ve been given a better definition of my role as captain. ‘Capes’ and I have done a lot of talking over the winter about how we are going to run the team, and at the moment things are going really well. The guys are in a good place, there is great team cohesion and the guys are all working for one result. It’s great to see!

It was important to get everyone back on the same page and now I’ve been in the role for a while, I’ve been able to sit down with all of the players and make sure they know what we what to achieve this year.”

After a poor start in last season’s competition, the Johannesburg-born right hander is certain of one thing – the need to keep winning. “We need the same momentum and the same intensity the whole way through this year’s Friends Life t20 campaign,” he says, “That momentum could prove vital.”

A vastly experienced cricketer, Hall has been there on the biggest stage against the toughest opponents and has continued to learn a game he’s been part of for 17 years.

If experience has told the all-rounder anything it’s: “to make sure that the players understand that we can win from any situation. That’s what we did a couple of seasons ago when we made it to Finals day and it’s sort of what we did last season as well. We got ourselves into a couple of tough situations and we managed to pull out of them very nicely.

“We have quite a few experienced players,” added the seamer about the squad here at the County Ground, “and some young players that are coming through and showing some good potential. This season has seen the lads work very hard and get into the right frame of mind. Hopefully the youngsters can start putting in some big performances along the way. If they keep going as they are there will be a very bright future in store for the club.”

One player bound to have an impact for the Steelbacks is Hall’s countryman Johan Botha who, as the Steelbacks 2nd overseas signing, will attract the supporter’s attention. The captain said of his new team mate: “Johan could be massive for us. He is a fantastic cricketer, super competitive, works very hard and is great in the field.

He is a top player and we all saw his performances at the recent World Cup with the bat, ball and in the field. He is a match winner. From our point of view, it is imperative that we try and get the most out of him that we can and that he is allowed to show what he can do.”

Hall finished off with a nod to the fans ahead of what will be a crucial six week period for the Steelbacks: “When we get a big crowd in, they become a 12th man on the field and help lift the players to greater things – I will never forget that quarter final here two years ago– that atmosphere was electric! With the fan’s support, we can achieve our aim. We’ve done it in the past and have shown that we are a good team playing exciting cricket. We have to remain positive throughout the campaign and we can’t let any pressure get to us. It’s going to be exciting, that’s for sure!”

‘THE PLAYERS UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN WIN FROM ANY SITUATION. THAT’S WHAT WE DID A COUPLE OF SEASONS AGO WHEN WE MADE IT TO FINALS DAY’

Brendan Gilbert

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

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WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE FOR STEELBACKS FANS

T20 REVIEW OF 2010 CAMPAIGN As I packed my laptop away in the poky Taunton press box, feeling shell-shocked at Northants’ brutal quarter final defeat at the hands of the competition’s runners-up Somerset, it made me think about what had been a truly exciting, white knuckle ride of a Friends Provident t20 campaign that saw the Steelbacks edge their way to a 4th quarter final in five seasons.

The campaign was a perfect demonstration of the club’s proud nickname; the team showed nerves of steel to get to Taunton before the occasion unravelled the County’s Finals Day charge for one more season.

To get to the minimum aim of a quarter final berth was an achievement after the Steelbacks opening three matches ended in three morale-sapping defeats – Warwickshire proved too strong at Edgbaston, winning by 8 wickets via the batting of Darren Maddy. Local rivals Leicestershire registered a 12-run victory at the County Ground, and Lancashire inflicted a heavy 69-run defeat on Northants, to leave the Steelbacks languishing at the bottom of the North Group table.

Cue the change that turned the tables – Sri Lankan Chaminda Vaas was promoted to open the innings in a pinch hitting role. The move paid off emphatically as the left hander plundered 412 runs in the competition to go alongside his 23 wickets. It is of no surprise that the County moved quickly to secure his services for the entirety of the 2011 season.

The Steelbacks won by 21 runs against Worcestershire, Vaas smashing his 1st half century of the campaign, before beating Yorkshire on their own turf by 14 runs, Jack Brooks the hero as he took 3 wickets to secure the win in the rain-affected match.

Those victories were followed by a victory over rivals Leicestershire at Grace Road by 10 runs – Chaminda Vaas scoring another 50 to help the Steelbacks exact revenge for the earlier defeat by Leicestershire.

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The defeat to Derbyshire in front of a good County Ground crowd was possibly the most disappointing of the competition for Northants. Having bowled terrifically in restricting the Falcons to just 109, the Steelbacks limped to 100-8 off their 20 overs, even though Vaas and Alex Wakely scored 65 between them.

Progressing to the knock out stages looked beyond the Steelbacks at this point in the competition.

Onto Trent Bridge and the Steelbacks scraped a draw against a tough Nottinghamshire outfit. Andrew Hall and Alex Wakely batted well to lead Northants to 121 from 20 overs. In reply, the Outlaws needed 5 off the last over to win. Yorker after Yorker from death bowling expert Andrew Hall restricted Notts to a share of the spoils.

Sanath Jayasuriya was in lethal form when the Steelbacks travelled to New Road, to help Worcestershire to a 9 wicket victory and leave the Steelbacks with only a slim hope of advancing in the competition. The Sri Lankan’s 87 helped a struggling Royals side record their 1st win in six matches as they remained bottom of the pile.

Durham were blown away by the Steelbacks, who recorded a superb 30-run victory – Vaas notching up 70 runs in a brutal display of pinch hitting, before Yorkshire arrived at the County Ground for a game that saw Richard Pyrah’s last ball of the match go down in t20 history. Needing 13 to win of the final ball, the Steelbacks snatched the most unlikely point as Nicky Boje smacked Pyrah’s no ball for a massive six, before hitting a four from the re-bowl. Chaminda Vaas (53) and David Sales (49) batted superbly to help the Steelbacks into a commanding position as they chased Yorkshire’s mammoth 180, courtesy of a fantastic century from Herschelle Gibbs.

It was the 2nd tie for the Steelbacks of the campaign and, following a 6 wicket defeat at the hands of Warwickshire, they were at it again! The Outlaws scraped a point as Northants struggled to get past the winning post. Notts posted 144 as David Willey took 3 wickets before the Steelbacks, again led by the batting brilliance of Vaas, replied with the same score. Jack Brooks scrambled the required 2 runs off the final ball to draw, after three run outs in the last over.

The Steelbacks hold the record of the most ties in a t20 season, and followed that with three brilliant performances to seal three wins – 6 points that got them to Taunton. Lancashire succumbed to a batting barrage from Rob White, who scored a quick fire 80 to lead his team mates to an 11-run win at Northampton.

Overseas signing Elton Chigumbura took 4-14 to help the Steelbacks dispose of Derbyshire by 43 runs and Rob White hit 60 to beat Durham by 7 wickets.

On to Taunton, looking for a 2nd Finals Day appearance in a row and the engine ground a halt in the Somerset sun, the quarter final proving to be one game too many.

The Steelbacks can look back on last season’s campaign with pride, dismay, delight and bewilderment in equal measure – one thing I know for sure is that when the Steelbacks take to the field, anything can happen!

Brendan Gilbert

GROUP STAGE WARWICKSHIRE LEICESTERSHIRE LANCASHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE YORKSHIRE LEICESTERSHIRE DERBYSHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE DURHAM YORKSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE LANCASHIRE DERBYSHIRE DURHAM QUARTER FINAL SOMERSET

LOST BY 8 WICKETS LOST BY 12 RUNS LOST BY 69 RUNS WON BY 22 RUNS WON BY 14 RUNS (D/L METHOD) WON BY 10 RUNS LOST BY 9 RUNS TIED LOST BY 9 WICKETS WON BY 30 RUNS TIED LOST BY 6 WICKETS TIED WON BY 11 RUNS WON BY 43 RUNS WON BY 7 WICKETS LOST BY 7 WICKETS

‘THE CAMPAIGN WAS A PERFECT DEMONSTRATION OF THE CLUB’S PROUD NICKNAME; THE TEAM SHOWED NERVES OF STEEL TO GET TO TAUNTON.’

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

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STEELBACKS

T20 PLAYERS TO WATCH BRENDAN GILBERT

Chaminda VAAS

Robert WHITE

DoB 27/01/1976 ROLE Bowler BATTING STYLE Left Handed BOWLING STYLE Left Arm Medium Fast

DoB 15/10/1979 ROLE Batsman BATTING STYLE Right Handed BOWLING STYLE Leg Spin

Chaminda was in sensational form for the Steelbacks during last season’s t20 campaign. The experienced Sri Lankan plundered 412 runs and took 23 wickets as he was named the competition’s Player of the Year by both the Steelbacks and the PCA. Expect the wily campaigner to open the Steelbacks’ innings with the bat and lead the line with the ball. If Chaminda performs as he did last year, then he could help fire the Steelbacks all the way to Friends Life t20 glory.

On his day, Rob has the potential to be the most potent of all the Steelbacks’ big-hitting batsman. His brilliant knock of 80 against Lancashire last year made sure of victory as the 31-year-old unleashed an powerful array of shots to dominate the Lightning’s bowlers. The Stowe School educated right-handed batsman has scored over 1100 runs in t20 and his experience, gained from 55 appearances in the shortest format of the game, could prove to be vital for the Steelbacks’ middle order to fire.

Johan BOTHA

David WILLEY

DoB 02/05/1982 ROLE Bowler BATTING STYLE Right Handed BOWLING STYLE Right Arm Off Break

DoB 28/02/1990 ROLE All Rounder BATTING STYLE Left Handed BOWLING STYLE Left Arm Medium Fast

Signed as the Steelbacks’ 2nd overseas signing, Johan is a highly competitive all-rounder who will add amazing fielding, reliable lower order batting and tricky off spin into the Steelbacks’ equation.

The 28-year-old will add a vast amount of experience, earned from 100 ODI and T20 appearances for South Africa – the spinner is now captaining his country in both forms of the game. Johan could light up the Steelbacks’ 2011 campaign by adding that ultra competitive edge to the County’s line up.

The youngster enjoyed a stellar introduction to t20 cricket in 2009, as his bowling helped drive the Steelbacks’ to their first t20 Finals Day appearance. David could be an all-round hero for the Steelbacks with his left arm seam and determined lower order batting.

His biggest asset is his economy rates with the ball in hand and the Northampton-born all-rounder makes sure the opposition find it difficult to clear the ropes in the middle overs.

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

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Andrew MCDONALD

FL t20 PREVIEW

LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES

2011 T20 DANGER MEN

BORN Victoria, Australia AGE 29 TOTAL t20 RUNS 749 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 67 SIXES HIT 19 WICKETS 50 @ 20.50

ALL-ROUNDER

THIS SEASON’S FRIENDS LIFE T20 IS SET TO BE ANOTHER FEAST OF ENTERTAINMENT, SO WE AT THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE HAVE SELECTED FOUR STAR CRICKETERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION. MARK PECK LEICESTERSHIRE

Vs.STEELBACKS

Vs.STEELBACKS

FRIDAY 3 JUNE 2011, 6.50PM START

FRIDAY 8 JULY 2011, 6.50PM START

COUNTY GROUND, NORTHAMPTON

COUNTY GROUND, NORTHAMPTON

Vs.STEELBACKS

Vs.STEELBACKS TUESDAY 12 JULY 2011, 5.40PM START

FRIDAY 1 JULY 2011, 6.50PM START

The red-haired Australian international all-rounder struck 174 runs in just three matches of last season’s competition, including a nifty 49 from 35 balls against the Steelbacks at the County Ground. He also took seven wickets during the campaign, including a match-winning 5-13 against the Outlaws at Trent Bridge. McDonald enjoys playing against Northants and once hit a fine 75, opening the batting against the County in the 2009 Ashes tour match.

COUNTY GROUND, NORTHAMPTON

COUNTY GROUND, NORTHAMPTON

Adil RASHID

Tom SMITH

YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE

LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING

LEG-SPIN BOWLER

ALL-ROUNDER

BORN Bradford, Yorkshire AGE 23 TOTAL t20 RUNS 210 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 34 SIXES HIT 3 WICKETS 59 @ 17.69

BORN Liverpool, Merseyside AGE 25 TOTAL t20 RUNS 765 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 92* SIXES HIT 17 WICKETS 28 @ 24.64

Young England international Rashid is relatively inexperienced, but has started to find his feet in this competition and this was reflected in last season’s statistics. Rashid took 26 wickets in last year’s campaign, including a fine 420 against Leicestershire, and he also struck 128 runs with the bat. The Yorkshireman has a number of first-class centuries to his name to add to a huge tally of wickets and kick-started this season with match figures of 11-114 against Worcestershire.

Some of you may not know this Liverpool-born youngster, having only been on the scene since 2006. However, Smith was one of the leading lights of last season’s competition, scoring 543 runs (fourth highest scorer and highest for Lancashire) and taking 13 wickets with the ball.

An England academy player, Smith struck a match-winning 67 from 47 balls against the Steelbacks at Old Trafford last year.

David HUSSEY NOTTINGHAMSHIRE OUTLAWS ALL-ROUNDER

BORN Perth, Australia AGE 33 TOTAL t20 RUNS 3476 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 100* SIXES HIT 149 WICKETS 39 @ 27.64 Another Aussie international lighting up the Twenty20 Cup scoreboards, Hussey hit 481 runs in last season’s competition, including three fifties, one of which was a classy 81 against the Warwickshire Bears.

An aggressive batsman, Hussey has bags of experience in this format thanks to his crash, bang, wallop style of batting, sharp fielding and tidy off-break bowling.

Hussey hit a fine 71 from just 34 balls against the Steelbacks in the T20 Cup back in 2006.

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

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LEICESTERSHIRE

FL t20 PROFILE

LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES HOME GROUND - GRACE ROAD, LEICESTER Winning the 2004 and 2006 Twenty20 cups means Leicestershire are still the most successful side in the history of the domestic competition. However, they have struggled recently, failing to progress from the group stage for four years in a row now. New captain Matthew Hoggard has made it clear that the cut backs and a smaller squad will not discourage the Foxes this summer.

The wafer thin squad of 20 is made up by three county stalwarts in Hoggard, Claude Henderson and Paul Nixon, and balanced out by a myriad of up and coming youth.

Nathan Buck is one of the most promising of these youngsters bowling with good pace and impressing so far in his short career.

Andrew McDonald returns for Leicestershire as the overseas player for 2011. The tall all-rounder from Victoria made a big impression in 2010, none more so than when he and James Taylor put on a record 4th wicket partnership of 360 against Middlesex. The Australian boasts handy first class statistics averaging nearly 40 with the bat and under 30 with the ball.

His nagging seam bowling and hard hitting has earned him

a handful of caps for Australia, and makes him a key player in the shortest form of the game.

Claude Henderson will once again be the ‘go-to man’ with the ball. The South African left-arm spinner has 71 Twenty20 wickets with a superb economy rate of 6.90. Although the Foxes have turned to a new policy in bringing young players through, it will be important that 38-year-old Henderson is in good form should they wish to make the quarter finals.

Josh Cobb follows the footsteps of Stuart Broad as an Oakham schoolboy going on to play for the first team at Grace Road. He will hope to open the batting alongside hard-hitting Jacques Du Toit to form an exciting partnership.

Although there have been problems off of the pitch, Hoggard and his men have enough talent and variation to cause an upset or two, especially in the 20-over format. If the key men can stay fit, they may well be fighting for a finals day place this year.

Jonathan Dunne

‘IF THE KEY MEN CAN STAY FIT, THEY MAY WELL BE FIGHTING FOR A FINALS DAY PLACE THIS YEAR.’

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HEAD TO HEAD

James TAYLOR

Alex WAKELY BORN Nottingham, Nottinghamshire AGE 21 TOTAL t20 RUNS 644 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 62* SIXES HIT 16

LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES

At 5ft 5in, James ‘titchy’ Taylor is the smallest cricketer on the county circuit, but don’t let that fool you. What he lacks in inches, he more than makes up for in hand-eye coordination and courage.

The 2009 PCA Young Player of the Year has racked up 1,000 plus runs in the last two first class seasons, scoring eight hundreds along the way.

His low centre of gravity, flexible wrists and quick feet mean he is able to play shots all around the wicket from unorthodox positions. He is strong at the cut and pull shot and favours facing the fast men who will bowl short to him at their peril.

His T20 average of 32.20 and strike rate of 118.16 are a good return for the England Lions batsman. In fact, Taylor seems to have found the professional game so easy to date that a full England call up may not be far from his grasp. Geoff Miller will surely have his number close by.

With bat in hand, Taylor is one of the most exciting and creative players on the circuit. He has now become the most consistent player in Leicestershire’s batting order.

BORN Hammersmith, London AGE 22 TOTAL t20 RUNS 473 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 55 SIXES HIT 3

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS

Alex is another young man brimming with talent, and he may have discovered the formula to fulfil his potential in 2011. Making his debut for the Northamptonshire 2nd XI at the age of 15, may have put too much pressure on him to succeed at a young age. But now more mature and a regular member of the first team squad, he is living up to his hype.

Alex’s stature is the complete opposite to Taylor’s. At well over 6ft with a strong frame, he is an intimidating figure to bowl at. Put this along with his classical style of play and you have a real prospect for Twenty20 cricket.

He can bully the bowling with ease when on top of his game, using his reach to hit the ball hard on the up.

The former England under-19 captain can also contribute with the ball in the one-day game. His off breaks have so far claimed some prize scalps including Brad Hodge and Marcus Trescothick.

There is a touch of Michael Vaughan’s grace, mixed in with a hint of the chest-puffed Matthew Hayden to Alex’s batting, meaning he has plenty of admirers. His record in T20 is modest so far with an average of 23.65, but he has every shot in the book and the belief to make his mark for the Steelbacks this summer.

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

23

FL t20 PROFILE

DURHAM DYNAMOS HOME GROUND - EMIRATES DURHAM INTERNATIONAL, COUNTY DURHAM Having been one of the best sides in the LV= County Championship in recent years, Durham have found it hard to transfer their success in the four-day game into this format. However, they did make the semi-finals in 2008, followed by the quarter-finals the year after, but their failure to progress past the group stages last season and the form they showed during the course of the competition came as disappointments.

Just four wins in 16 games was never going to be enough to qualify and although they were a little unlucky losing four matches to the weather, fans will be expecting an improvement this time around. Durham lost every game against Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and both games against the Steelbacks last season, finishing second from bottom of the North Group.

The Dynamos, who will be captained by Dale Benkenstein for limited-overs cricket, have signed South African international David Miller for this competition exclusively.

The 21-year-old has already made six Twenty20 appearances for his country, averaging 41 with the bat.

A big-hitting, aggressive batsman, Miller is moulded for this competition and should prove a handful for opposing bowlers.

Paul Collingwood’s retirement from Test cricket will allow him to make more appearances and this will be a massive boost to Durham. The victorious 2010 Twenty20 World Cup captain will not only provide valuable runs and excellent fielding but he also has bags of experience.

However, Durham will miss overseas duo Albie Morkel and Ross Taylor, who both performed well for Geoff Cook’s side last term.

Little has changed in the bowling department, but this is an area where Durham have remained strong. Neil Killeen has retired and Luke Evans has joined the Steelbacks but with the likes of Steve and Ben Harmison, Graham Onions, who may or may not appear due to England commitments, and Liam Plunkett, Durham have a battery of fast bowlers with experience to cause most sides trouble. Add to that Gareth Breese, Scott Borthwick and Ian Blackwell, who are all more than capable spin bowlers, and you have a balanced and dangerous attack. As long as their batsmen find some form and injuries do not blight the team, Durham have a side capable of succeeding in this competition.

Mark Peck

‘AS LONG AS THEIR BATSMEN FIND SOME FORM AND INJURIES DO NOT BLIGHT THE TEAM, DURHAM HAVE A SIDE CAPABLE OF SUCCEEDING IN THIS COMPETITION.’

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HEAD TO HEAD

Stephen HARMISON

Luke EVANS

BORN Ashington, Northumberland AGE 32 WICKETS 29 @ 23.03 t20 MATCHES 28 ECONOMY RATE 7.93

DURHAM DYNAMOS

The tall, fast bowling, England international is now a regular member of the Durham side having been dropped from the England Test squad back in 2009 after 63 Test appearances. A member of the 2005 and 2009 Ashes winning sides, Harmison took a while to adjust to Twenty20 cricket, but having taken 14 wickets in last season’s competition, including a fine 5-41 against Lancashire at Old Trafford, he has proved he can succeed in this format.

A former World No. 1 bowler and 2005 Wisden Cricketer of the Year, Harmison has 226 Test wickets to his name and 690 first-class victims but he will always be remembered for that devastating spell of bowling at Sabina Park in Jamaica back in 2004 when he took 7-12 and England blew away the West Indies for just 47.

BORN Sunderland, Durham AGE 24 WICKETS 12 @ 29.00 t20 MATCHES 0 ECONOMY RATE 3.77

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS

Durham born and bred, Luke Evans joined the Steelbacks from Durham last season on loan, and having impressed coach David Capel, he signed for the club full-time during the winter.

The 24-year-old has yet to make a Friends Life t20 appearance and has only played five first-class games, but he already has 12 wickets to his name, including a fine 3-53 for Northants against Gloucestershire in last season’s County Championship. The seamer has also made a string of fine performances for Durham’s 2nd XI, notably his 4-29 against Surrey 2nds last season, after returning from his loan spell at the County Ground.

‘HARMISON TOOK A WHILE TO ADJUST TO TWENTY20 CRICKET, BUT HAVING TAKEN 14 WICKETS IN LAST SEASON'S COMPETITION, INCLUDING A FINE 5-41 AGAINST LANCASHIRE AT OLD TRAFFORD, HE HAS PROVED HE CAN SUCCEED IN THIS FORMAT.’

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

25

FL t20 PROFILE

WARWICKSHIRE BEARS HOME GROUND - EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM Warwickshire finished top of North Group last season with 11 wins from their 16 games, but they once again failed to make it past the first knock-out stage, crashing out to the eventual champions, Hampshire Hawks, at Edgbaston.

Since finishing as runners-up in 2003, Warwickshire have made it to the quarter-finals every season bar 2006, and have failed on every occasion to progress further. Last season’s fixtures against the Steelbacks proved fruitful for Ashley Giles’ side as they won both games by comfortable margins, revenging the two defeats they suffered at the hands of Capel’s men the year before.

A new captain in the form of Jim Troughton and a redeveloped Edgbaston home bring a fresh look about the Bears for 2011. Giles’ side were quite lucky last season in that they had England internationals Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott available for selection for most of the competition.

However, with England’s test and limited over series against Sri Lanka and then India beginning in May, these two are likely to be missing for the majority of the campaign. Bell struck 166 runs in just four matches last term, while Trott amassed 306 runs from 12 games.

Both will be missed, as will South African international Imran Tahir, who took 20 wickets in last year’s competition.

He has gone to Hampshire but fortunately for the Bears there are no other significant departures to report.

The signature of Ireland international William Porterfield from Gloucestershire will strengthen the batting in Bell and Trott’s absence, as will Pakistan stalwart Younis Khan.

Porterfield struck 180 runs in this year’s Cricket World Cup for Ireland, including a fine 75 against eventual champions India, whilst Khan has bags of international and county cricket experience. The form of Chris Woakes is also a plus point for the Bears. Woakes, who has recently found his way into the England setup, is particularly strong with the ball and that is where Warwickshire will need him the most.

Giles will need the likes of him, Darren Maddy and youngster Keith Barker to produce the goods with the ball if they are to break their quarter-final jinx.

Mark Peck

‘SINCE FINISHING AS RUNNERS-UP IN 2003, WARWICKSHIRE HAVE MADE IT TO THE QUARTER-FINALS EVERY SEASON BAR 2006, AND HAVE FAILED ON EVERY OCCASION TO PROGRESS FURTHER.’

26

NORTHANTSCRICKET.COM

HEAD TO HEAD

Chris WOAKES

Jack BROOKS BORN Birmingham, Warwickshire AGE 22 t20 MATCHES 35 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 27* SIXES HIT 9 WICKETS 28 @ 29.64

BORN Oxford, Oxfordshire AGE 26 t20 MATCHES 35 ECONOMY RATE 6.67 WICKETS 12 @ 25.58

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS

WARWICKSHIRE BEARS

Chris Woakes is a player with a bright future and is making rapid strides with Warwickshire. The tall, right-arm medium fast bowling all-rounder topped the county's bowling averages in 2008 and was soon being talked about as someone with the ability to become a seasoned international cricketer.

Still at the tender age of 22, has already made his way into the England setup and seems to be improving all the time. Woakes took 15 wickets in last season’s campaign including a fine 3-21 in the 6 wicket victory against the Steelbacks at the County Ground, a wicket short of his best, which was a matching-winning 4-21 against Somerset back in 2008.

Now into his third season at the County Ground, Brooks is still relatively new to this form of cricket but has already shown he is more than capable.

His 3-24 against a strong Yorkshire side at Headingley last season proved just that. The 26-year-old former Surrey man has also proved he can be a worthwhile no. 8 or 9 batsman, having hit a fifty in last season’s County Championship against Gloucestershire.

However, his two wickets in an over against the touring Australians back in 2009 will surely remain as his best career moment to date. Brooks made a blistering start to the new season when he took 4-36 (match figures of 6-88) to help Northamptonshire beat Kent by an innings and 159 runs back in April.

‘WOAKES, STILL AT THE TENDER AGE OF 22, HAS ALREADY MADE HIS WAY INTO THE ENGLAND SETUP AND SEEMS TO BE IMPROVING ALL THE TIME.’

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

27

FL t20 PROFILE

DERBYSHIRE FALCONS HOME GROUND - RACECOURSE GROUND, DERBY A disappointing 2009 season, with just three wins in ten matches for the Falcons was always going to be easy to improve on in 2010. However, once again they failed to make the latter stages of the competition, finishing fifth in the table with just six wins from their 16 games. Four of those victories came away from Derby, including a dramatic match against the Steelbacks where the Falcons batted first and made just 109 but still managed to win. Their home form must improve this time around if they are going to make the quarter-finals, something they have failed to achieve since 2005.

A new captain in the form of Luke Sutton, who returns to the County Ground after a five-year stint at Lancashire, should help to inject some confidence and new ideas into the team. The signing of Usman Khawaja, the Australian international batsman, will also strengthen the Falcons’ batting line-up, but coach John Morris will be hoping that the likes of former Somerset all-rounder Wes Durston can produce some of the magic of 2010 this time around.

Durston struck 445 runs in last season’s competition. Morris has also signed New Zealand international Martin Guptill.

A right-handed top order batsman, Guptill has just started to make his mark in international cricket and has a T20 strike-rate well over 100, making him a more than useful asset in this format. On the down-side, however, Derbyshire have lost Aussie run-machine Chris Rogers, who joined Middlesex over the winter.

The squad has also been weakened in the bowling department after the departures of quickie Tom Lungley and South African international all-rounder Robin Peterson.

Both will be sorely missed, particularly in this format. The signing of former Durham and Somerset paceman Mark Turner will help fill some of the void, but you feel Derbyshire must either sign another quality bowler or rely on youngsters such as Jonathan Clare and South African Greg Smith, who showed promise in this competition last term, to produce the goods if they are to have any chance of progressing past the group stage.

Mark Peck

‘THEIR HOME FORM MUST IMPROVE THIS TIME AROUND IF THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE THE QUARTER-FINALS, SOMETHING THEY HAVE FAILED TO ACHIEVE SINCE 2005.’

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NORTHANTSCRICKET.COM

HEAD TO HEAD

Usman KHAWAJA

David SALES BORN Islamabad, Pakistan AGE 24 TOTAL t20 RUNS 119 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 65 SIXES HIT 0

BORN Carshalton, Surrey AGE 33 TOTAL t20 RUNS 1202 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 78* SIXES HIT 51

DERBYSHIRE FALCONS

Born in Pakistan but moved to Australia when he was a young boy, Usman Khawaja has so far shown bags of promise. He made his international debut for Australia in the last Test of the 2010-11 Ashes series at Sydney, scoring 37 & 21, although he has yet to feature for the limited-overs side.

He is raw and inexperienced in this format of the game but his poise, temperament and high strike-rate make him a dangerous player.

The left-hander averages nearly 50 with bat in first-class cricket for his state side New South Wales.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS

After a disappointing 2010 with the bat in T20 cricket, where he scored just 128 runs in ten games, Sales will be hoping he can rekindle the sort of form he showed before the serious knee injury he suffered in 2009.

A hard-hitting right-hander, Sales has bags of experience in this format, with 10 fifties to his name and over 1000 runs.

His bumper year came in 2006, when he averaged 54.80, scoring 274 runs in just nine T20 games. Sales will be wise to take the memory of his second-innings 92 against Derbyshire at Chesterfield in last season's County Championship into this game.

Watch out if David gets behind the ball – he can launch some monster shots to all parts of the County Ground.

‘KHAWAJA IS RAW AND INEXPERIENCED IN THIS FORMAT OF THE GAME BUT HIS POISE, TEMPERAMENT AND HIGH STRIKE-RATE MAKE HIM A DANGEROUS PLAYER.’

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

29

STEELBACKS VS. LEICESTERSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

FRIDAY 3 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

6.50PM START 1

2

3

4

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

SCORERS

A.C KINGSTON & G.A YORK

UMPIRES

M.A GOUGH & G. SHARP

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

STEELBACKS VS. LEICESTERSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

FRIDAY 3 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

6.50PM START 1

2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

RESULT

MAN OF THE MATCH

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

LEICESTERSHIRE

TOTAL

31

STEELBACKS VS. DURHAM

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

THURSDAY 9 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

1

5.40PM START 2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

32

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

SCORERS

A.C KINGSTON & B. HUNT

UMPIRES

R.J BAILEY & S.J O'SHAUGHNESSY

WKTS

STEELBACKS VS. DURHAM

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

THURSDAY 9 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

1

5.40PM START 2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

RESULT

MAN OF THE MATCH

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

33

STEELBACKS VS. WARWICKSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

1

2

5.30PM START 3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

34

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

SCORERS

A.C KINGSTON & D.E WAINWRIGHT

UMPIRES

T.E JESTY & J.F STEELE

WKTS

STEELBACKS VS. WARWICKSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

1

2

5.30PM START 3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

RESULT

MAN OF THE MATCH

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

35

STEELBACKS VS. DERBYSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

FRIDAY 17 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

1

6.50PM START 2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

36

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

SCORERS

A.C KINGSTON & J.M BROWN

UMPIRES

R.K ILLINGWORTH & D.J MILLNS

WKTS

STEELBACKS VS. DERBYSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

FRIDAY 17 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

1

6.50PM START 2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

RESULT

MAN OF THE MATCH

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

37

STEELBACKS VS. WORCESTERSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

1

2

5.30PM START 3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

38

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

SCORERS

A.C KINGSTON & N.D SMITH

UMPIRES

M.J.D BODENHAM & N.A MALLENDER

WKTS

STEELBACKS VS. WORCESTERSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE SCORE

BOWLER

1

2

5.30PM START 3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

RESULT

MAN OF THE MATCH

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

39

STEELBACKS VS. YORKSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

FRIDAY 1 JULY SCORE

BOWLER

6.50PM START 1

2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

40

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

SCORERS

A.C KINGSTON & J.T POTTER

UMPIRES

S.A GARRATT & T.E JESTY

WKTS

STEELBACKS VS. YORKSHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

FRIDAY 1 JULY SCORE

BOWLER

6.50PM START 1

2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

RESULT

MAN OF THE MATCH

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

41

STEELBACKS VS. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE RUNS

BATSMAN

TWENTY 20 HOW OUT

BOWLER

FRIDAY 8 JULY SCORE

BOWLER

6.50PM START 1

2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

42

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

SCORERS

A.C KINGSTON & L.B HEWES

UMPIRES

N.G.C COWLEY & S.A GARRATT

WKTS

STEELBACKS VS. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE RUNS

BATSMAN

TWENTY 20 HOW OUT

BOWLER

FRIDAY 8 JULY SCORE

BOWLER

6.50PM START 1

2

3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

RESULT

MAN OF THE MATCH

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

43

STEELBACKS VS. LANCASHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

WEDNESDAY 12 JULY SCORE

BOWLER

1

2

5.40PM START 3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

44

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

SCORERS

A.C KINGSTON & A. WEST

UMPIRES

R.K ILLINGWORTH & N.J LLONG

WKTS

STEELBACKS VS. LANCASHIRE

TWENTY 20

RUNS

BATSMAN

HOW OUT

BOWLER

WEDNESDAY 12 JULY SCORE

BOWLER

1

2

5.40PM START 3

4

OVERS M’DENS RUNS

WKTS

SCORE AFTER EACH OVER

RESULT

MAN OF THE MATCH

BYES

EXTRAS

SCORE

LEG BYES

WICKETS

PARTNERSHIP

NO BALLS

BATSMAN OUT

WIDES

FALL OF WICKET

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTAL

45

FRIENDS LIFE t20 PROFILE

WORCESTERSHIRE ROYALS HOME GROUND - NEW ROAD, WORCESTER The Twenty20 competition has not been a happy hunting ground for the Worcestershire Royals. Since it was first instituted in 2003, they have only reached the quarter finals twice.

Last year’s reformatted tournament saw them finish rock bottom of the North Division with just five wins from their 16 matches. One of those wins came against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at New Road, where former Northants batsman Phil Jaques and Sanath Jayasuria propelled them to a nine wicket victory.

Jayasuria will not be going head-to-head with fellow former Sri Lanka Chaminda Vaas when the Royals take on Northamptonshire this season, but they have managed to once again secure the services of exciting Bangladeshi allrounder Shakib Al Hasan for the 2011 Friends Life t20.

Although he missed out on the tournament last year due to Bangladesh’s tour of England, Shakib starred for Worcestershire in the County Championship during the second half the season, including taking a career-best 7/32 in the win over Middlesex with his slow left arm spin.

It was his form that helped them to promotion to Division One for the 2011 campaign, as the Royals put aside their woes in limited overs cricket with a late season surge that

saw them finish as runners-up to Division Two champions Sussex.

With counties allowed two overseas players for the Friends Life t20, Shakib will be joined by former Steelbacks all-rounder Damien Wright for the first part of the campaign, with Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal taking over later in the year.

Daryl Mitchell is charged with leading a young Worcestershire squad in what will be his first full season as captain, having taken over from Vikram Solanki in August last year. Former England one-day international Solanki remains a threat for the Royals with the bat amongst their exciting prospects.

Amongst those is 23-year-old left handed batsman Moeen Ali – brother of Gloucestershire batsman Kadeer Ali and cousin of Hampshire bowler Kabir Ali – who has been capped by England Lions and was Worcestershire’s top batsman in last year’s FP t20, scoring 385 runs at an average of 27.50.

Marc Bazeley

‘FORMER ENGLAND ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL SOLANKI REMAINS A THREAT FOR THE ROYALS WITH THE BAT AMONGST THEIR EXCITING PROSPECTS.’

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HEAD TO HEAD

Alexei KERVEZEE

Robert WHITE BORN Walvis Bay, Namibia AGE 21 TOTAL t20 RUNS 323 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 39 SIXES HIT 6

BORN Chelmsford, Essex AGE 31 TOTAL t20 RUNS 1122 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 94* SIXES HIT 37

WORCESTERSHIRE ROYALS

Despite his tender age, Kervezee has already made cricketing history, being one of only four players to feature in a Cricket World Cup aged 17 when he made 47 on his debut for the Netherlands against Sri Lanka four years ago.

He was also in the side when the Dutch recorded that famous victory over England at Lord’s in the 2009 World Twenty20.

Ironically nicknamed ‘Rowdy’ by his teammates due to his quiet demeanour, Kervezee is a highly-regarded prospect at New Road. Indeed, former Holland fast bowling coach Ian Pont has gone as far as to draw comparisons between the right-handed opener and Royals legend Graeme Hick.

Kervezee and his Worcestershire teammates endured a difficult FP t20 campaign last season, with the Namibian-born batsman scoring 179 runs in 16 matches at an average of 14.91. However, he has had an impressive start to the season in the County Championship and will be looking to carry that form over to Twenty20.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS

Since cracking 277 in a record first class opening partnership for Northamptonshire with Mark Powell against Gloucestershire in 2002, White’s batting talent has been evident. He has since established himself as a hard-hitting member of the county’s middle order, managing over 200 Twenty20 runs in the past three seasons.

White has always had a reputation as a flamboyant, attacking batsman and his strike rate of 121.69 in Twenty20 cricket bears that out. His cricketing hero, Sir Vivian Richards, would no doubt be impressed by those numbers.

Last season’s FP t20 campaign saw the right-hander register 277 runs at an average of 23.08 in 13 matches as the Steelbacks reached the quarter finals for the third year in a row. If they are to make it four then they will be looking for White to be firing on all cylinders again.

‘WHITE HAS ALWAYS HAD A REPUTATION AS A FLAMBOYANT, ATTACKING BATSMAN AND HIS STRIKE RATE OF 121.69 IN TWENTY20 CRICKET BEARS THAT OUT.’

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

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YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE HOME GROUND - HEADINGLEY, LEEDS One of the most followed counties on the circuit, Yorkshire have struggled in t20 cricket and 2010 was no different for the Headingley-based outfit, despite having a bounty of talent at their disposal.

Yorkshire finished 6th in the North group of last year’s competition, recording just six wins from their 16 matches and were fruitful opposition for the Steelbacks, who recording a fine victory at Headingley before the pair were involved in one of the most ridiculous endings to a t20 match at the County Ground in June. Nicky Boje managed to hit 12 off Richard Pryah’s last ball of the match (hitting a six off a no ball and finding the boundary with the 2nd attempt) to earn the County a valuable point.

Yorkshire will look to amend their lowly record of only two quarter final appearances since the inception of t20 cricket and have some big guns to call on.

Their strength is the all-round abilities of their squad and they will be able to call upon the international experience of England bowlers Adil Rashid, Ryan Sidebottom, Ajmal Shahzad and Tim Bresnan.

Any one of them has the ability to win a t20 match on their own and Yorkshire will hope the England selectors don’t take the core of their bowling attack away for the Sri Lanka series, including Adil Rashid who ended up last season’s FP t20 leading wicket taker with 26 victims.

Batting firepower will come from the likes of 27-year-old captain Andrew Gale who has scored almost 1200 t20 runs at an average of 27.9 and a strike rate of 120, and Anthony Mcgrath who has notched up 1300 runs at over 31, with a strike rate of 115. Yorkshire will also look to their battery of talented youngsters such as Adam Lyth, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root to get in amongst the runs.

With no overseas signings for the 2011 Friends Life t20 campaign, Carnegie will hope not to miss their 2010 batting maestro Herschelle Gibbs, who scored a superb 101 here at the County Ground last July.

Brendan Gilbert

‘YORKSHIRE WILL LOOK TO AMEND THEIR LOWLY RECORD OF ONLY TWO QUARTER FINAL APPEARANCES SINCE THE INCEPTION OF T20 CRICKET AND HAVE SOME BIG GUNS TO CALL ON.’

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HEAD TO HEAD

Adil RASHID

James MIDDLEBROOK BORN Bradford, Yorkshire AGE 23 t20 MATCHES 44 WICKETS 59 @ 17.70 ECONOMY RATE 7.10

BORN Leeds, Yorkshire AGE 33 t20 MATCHES 65 WICKETS 28 @ 37.80 ECONOMY RATE 7.64

YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE

Rashid was in sensational form with the ball in last season’s tournament, leading the wicket taking charts with 26 wickets, a haul which included four Steelbacks wickets. The Bradford-born spinner has a knack of taking wickets at vital moments in the innings whilst being economical with the ball in hand, and Rashid adds decent lower order batting into the mix for safe measure.

Rashid’s form in recent years has led to England call-ups for the talented leg spinner and that experience may be handy when taking on the world class batsmen on show in this year’s competition – batsmen who will have to be on guard when facing the Yorkshireman, whose t20 best figures of 4-20 show the youngster is a potential match winner.

59 wickets in 44 t20 matches at an average on 17 show how important the 23-year-old could be to Yorkshire’s ambitions in this year’s Friends Life t20.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS

James has proved to be a valuable piece of the Steelbacks’ armoury in t20 cricket, as the 34-year-old gives Northants a superb off-spin option. James has performed admirably for the Steelbacks last season, taking 12 wickets whilst conceding just over six runs an over throughout the campaign.

His economical bowling rates were evident from the 2005 season when the ex-Essex player was the competition’s most economical bowler.

‘Midders’ is an apt nickname for the all-rounder who is superb at eating up the pivotal middle overs to slow opponent’s run rates. James combines his bowling skill with handy lower order batting that can see the Yorkshireman add runs at crucial later stages of matches.

A Yorkshireman himself, James will look forward to facing one of his old counties once again and we could see the spinner play a crucial role for the Steelbacks alongside overseas signing Johan Botha, both in this encounter and the campaign as a whole.

'MIDDERS' IS AN APT NICKNAME FOR THE ALL-ROUNDER WHO IS SUPERB AT EATING UP THE PIVOTAL MIDDLE OVERS TO SLOW OPPONENT'S RUN RATES.’

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NOTTINGHAMSHIRE OUTLAWS HOME GROUND - TRENT BRIDGE, NOTTINGHAM In American sporting parlance, it is generally accepted that a tie is like kissing your sister. Yet as the great baseball player George Brett drily observed, “If a tie is like kissing your sister, losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out.”

Last year the Steelbacks and Outlaws both decided that kissing grandma was emphatically not on the agenda and slugged each other to a standstill in a pair of brutal ties that left both teams bloodied but unbowed.

Andrew Hall salvaged a dramatic tie in the first encounter at Trent Bridge as the Outlaws lost their last three wickets without managing the fifth of the five runs they needed from the final over.

The rematch saw Hall in the thick of it at the death once again as the Steelbacks battled to score the 10 runs they needed off the last six balls. Mayhem, chaos and three run outs ensued – including one that saw Hall flattened by Dirk Nannes with all the subtlety of a man impersonating Ayers Rock – before Jack Brooks scrambled two off the final ball to clinch a tie.

Consequently, this game has plenty to live up to.

The Outlaws return a number of familiar faces in their guise of Northants North – Ben Phillips, Graeme Swann, Graeme White and Riki Wessels all have Steelback roots and are part of a 10-man contingent who started their careers with other counties before moving to Trent Bridge.

The Outlaws feature some of the biggest hitters in the competition. Ali Brown, Alex Hales, Samit Patel and David Hussey can clear any boundary. However, the Steelbacks will be confident they can repeat the success of last year when they blew away the top order, reducing the Outlaws to 12-3 and 13-3 respectively in the two contests.

After the encounters of 2010 there is plenty of history between these two teams and the Steelbacks will feel they have a score or two to settle. This time, kissing their sisters is not an option for the Steelbacks – nothing less than the sweet embrace of victory will be enough.

Richard Barker

‘THE OUTLAWS FEATURE SOME OF THE BIGGEST HITTERS IN THE COMPETITION. ALI BROWN, ALEX HALES, SAMIT PATEL AND DAVID HUSSEY CAN CLEAR ANY BOUNDARY.’

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HEAD TO HEAD

Chris READ

Niall O’BRIEN BORN Paignton, Devon AGE Whip Pull TOTAL t20 RUNS 944 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 58* SIXES HIT 24

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE OUTLAWS

Chris Read and Niall O’Brien share something of a common bond in that both wicketkeepers have had their careers affected by Geraint Jones. Read lost his England berth to Jones while O’Brien’s time at Kent was effectively ended when Jones was axed by England leaving the way clear for the Irishman to join Northants.

A naturally attacking batsman, Read has proved to be a formidable competitor in t20 cricket. Heading into the tournament he could boast a strike rate of 118.74 and averaged in excess of 25.

Read’s ability to improvise in the closing stages of an innings and find the boundary has made him a lynchpin of the Outlaws line-up. Despite his relatively diminutive frame, Read has plenty of power at his disposal and has cleared the ropes 24 times in the shortest form of the game.

Read may have been surpassed in the purists’ eyes by James Foster of the Essex Eagles for the accolade of England’s most accomplished wicketkeeper but he plays a key role in the Outlaws’ plans. Read very rarely makes mistakes and is good enough to stand up to the stumps for all but the quickest bowlers, thereby preventing batsmen from taking liberties and venturing out of their ground.

BORN Dublin, Ireland AGE 29 TOTAL t20 RUNS 1172 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 84 SIXES HIT 25

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS

O’Brien has batted up and down the order for the Steelbacks in the t20, at times opening the innings, at others providing a catalyst at four or five and occasionally coming in at number seven. Regardless of where he bats one thing is always certain – the man from Dublin will always come out swinging.

The left-hander is always only too happy to take the attack to the bowlers, ready to slash away over cover, mow the ball over the leg side, or, when all else fails, improvise heroically and scoop the ball over short fine leg.

A strike rate of 119 and five half centuries in t20 cricket testifies to the effectiveness of this approach.

O’Brien also provides a critical role in the field as he sets the tone for the Steelbacks. Regardless of whether it is cajoling and inspiring his colleagues in the field, setting the angles for fielders or performing heroics behind the stumps, no cause is ever lost for O’Brien until the scoreboard tells him otherwise.

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LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING HOME GROUND - OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER Lancashire are the t20 nearly men, but enjoy a decent record in t20 cricket over the years, making three Finals days and three quarter-final appearances without ever lifting the trophy. The closest Lightning came to winning in the shortest format was in 2005 when they finished runners up to Somerset.

Lancashire Lightning possess a hugely talented t20 squad and will want to get to Finals Day once again in 2011.

Former England coach Peter Moores leads the Red Rose County into the competition with a squad of 19 experienced cricketers and has only signed one overseas player in Farveez Maharoof. The Sri Lankan all-rounder has immense potential in any form of the game and will deliver fiery seam bowling and good lower order pinch-hitting to Old Trafford - Maharoof will be a key player for Lightning if they are to realise their Finals day ambitions.

Fine English talent makes up the core of the Lightning attack. James Anderson, Sajid Mahmood, Stephen Parry and Glen Chapple can all cause batsmen headaches with their bowling.

Mahmood impressed last season with 23 wickets at an average of just over 8, and the spin bowling of Stephen Parry claimed 26 wickets at 7 runs a piece last season.

Batting wise, Lancashire have strength in depth, with Steven Croft able to score quickly from the middle order, Tom Smith can smash opening bowlers to all parts and Stephen Moore who can anchor any innings superbly to allow the Lightning to race to big totals. Paul Horton is also likely to be key wicket for Lancashire - the 28-year-old has racked up 634 runs in 37 matches at an average of 21.1.

The Lightning will be a team to watch, especially if they gain valuable early momentum before facing the Steelbacks twice in four days at the end of the group stages.

Brendan Gilbert

‘LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING POSSESS A HUGELY TALENTED T20 SQUAD AND WILL WANT TO GET TO FINALS DAY ONCE AGAIN IN 2011.’

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HEAD TO HEAD

Steven CROFT

Mal LOYE BORN Blackpool, Lancashire FAVOURITE SHOT Pull Shot TOTAL t20 RUNS 1174 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 88 SIXES HIT 33

BORN Northampton, Northants FAVOURITE SHOT Slog Sweep TOTAL t20 RUNS 1296 HIGHEST t20 SCORE 100 SIXES HIT 35

LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING

A vital component of Lancashire’s one-day team in recent seasons, Croft has shown his worthiness to the cause with over 1100 t20 runs for the Lightning from 58 appearances at a handy average of 26 from the middle order.

A hard-hitting batsman, Croft is a typical t20 player who is superb in the field and tricky with the ball, taking 22 wickets with his swift seam bowling.

Croft scored 394 runs last term at a useful average of 26.3 and took 5 wickets to help his team mates to the quarter finals. A top score of 88 shows just how potent Croft can be with the bat, finding boundaries with ease in the latter stages of Lancashire’s innings.

Croft represents a fantastic asset to the Old Trafford outfit because when teams manage to get the Lightning’s top order out cheaply, the 26-year-old will be the man standing in the way.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS

Mal started the 2010 Friends Provident t20 competition in superb fashion, scoring 115 runs in just 3 matches before injury curtailed his campaign.

An experienced campaigner, Mal has been a Steelback for 14 seasons as well as spending seven years with Lancashire Lightning, meaning matches like these are a highlight for the top order batsman.

Mal’s batting relies more on impeccable timing and technique than blistering power, but that doesn’t mean the Northampton-born batsman can’t find the boundary – he did so 16 times in three innings last year and 184 times in his distinguished career, a career that has seen Mal smash 1296 t20 runs averaging almost 34, not to mention a strike rate of 132.4.

Mal offers the Steelbacks a rock at the top of the order, using his experience to help anchor the innings in Northants’ favour. Mal is also capable of destructive batting, something seen on his full international debut when he brutally slog-swept Brett Lee for six!

‘A HARD-HITTING BATSMAN, CROFT IS A TYPICAL T20 PLAYER WHO IS SUPERB IN THE FIELD AND TRICKY WITH THE BALL, TAKING 22 WICKETS WITH HIS SWIFT SEAM BOWLING.’

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FRIDAY 5TH / SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST 2011

NORTHANTS Vs. INDIA One hundred years have passed since India first visited the County Ground, an occasion that saw Lord Lilford’s team triumph by six wickets. The teams have subsequently met on a dozen occasions dating back to 1911, with both sides winning twice. The most recent encounter between the teams took place in 1996 when Sachin Tendulkar’s 88 trumped Mal Loye’s 83 but Northants won by five wickets.

15 years after they met at Luton’s Wardown Park, Tendulkar and Loye potentially find themselves on opposite sides once again. Tendulkar may have rewritten the record books and, while no one would seriously contest his right to be considered as one of the greatest – if not the greatest – of all time, one wonders if he would have traded a few of his records in exchange for sweeping Brett Lee for six off a good length à la Loye.

Two months later the batsmen could reflect on rather different fortunes.

Tendulkar scored 428 runs in five innings during a narrow test series loss against England. Tendulkar scored two centuries, including a stunning 122 in the defeat at Edgbaston where no other Indian batsman reached 20.

Tendulkar may be the brightest star in India’s glittering constellation but he is by no means the only shining light. M. S. Dhoni launched the six heard round the world when he brought the curtain down on the World Cup Final with a glorious straight six. It was a shot that defined a tournament and ensured India would be crowned World Champions, thereby becoming the first host nation to lift the trophy. It was also a shot that defined Dhoni’s cricketing legacy as he put his poor form behind him to fulfil the hopes and dreams of a billion Indian cricket fans.

Loye didn’t even have the consolation of finishing on the losing side as Northants succumbed in the Benson & Hedges Cup Final at Lord’s – a slightly puzzling piece of selectorial brilliance left Loye on the sidelines as the County lost to Lancashire.

India’s legendary batting line-up also features Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag. Despite scoring a crucial 75 from 54 balls to set up India’s win in the inaugural World Twenty20 Final against Pakistan, Gambhir lacks the reputation and penchant for explosive hitting of some of his colleagues but he can console himself with his status of the world’s most expensive cricketer.

The IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders paid $2.4 million to secure Gambhir’s signature in January.

That deal was enough to ensure Gambhir never had to worry overly much about being able to afford to eat out ever again. In the event his poised 97 in the World Cup Final probably means he will never be allowed to pick up a ‘check’ in his own country ever again.

Yuvraj was named the Player of the Tournament at the World Cup. He averaged 86 with the bat, picked up 15 wickets and scooped up four Man of the Match awards during the competition. Yuvraj blazed his way to prominence with a 12-ball 50 against England in the 2007 Twenty20 tournament, an innings that featured six sixes in an over from Stuart Broad.

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Northants fans can be forgiven for thinking what might have been if Sehwag cuts loose. Plans to sign him for last season’s domestic t20 tournament were thwarted by red tape and, having been forced to delay his arrival for so long, Sehwag will be keen to make up for lost time – not that he ever needs much invitation to start laying about him with his broadsword of a bat. Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina will be waiting in the wings to provide the runs if the big guns fail.

Kohli (22) and Raina (24) both played in the World Cup Final and represent the future of Indian batting.

Their batsmen may be household names across the cricketing world but India are hardly bereft of bowling talent. Harbhajan Singh is closing in on 700 wickets in all forms of cricket for India. Harbhajan is the most successful offspin bowler to emerge from India, an accolade that puts him at the head of some pretty impressive competition.

Zaheer Khan provides the seam attack with a potent spearhead. Zaheer has proved to be a wonderful bowler in all formats and is closing in on 300 wickets in both tests and ODIs. Throw in more than a thousand wickets in domestic cricket and you have a bowler capable of wrecking any batting order.

India will hope that Ishant Sharma can recapture the form that saw him ridicule Ricky Ponting in 2007-2008, working him over with a series of displays that triggered the start of the decline for one of the world’s greatest batsmen.

The likes of Sreesanth and Munaf Patel will offer further options for an attack that is unlikely to lack firepower.

‘YUVRAJ WAS NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT AT THE WORLD CUP. HE AVERAGED 86 WITH THE BAT, PICKED UP 15 WICKETS AND SCOOPED UP FOUR MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS DURING THE COMPETITION.’ ‘THEIR BATSMEN MAY BE HOUSEHOLD NAMES ACROSS THE CRICKETING WORLD BUT INDIA ARE HARDLY BEREFT OF BOWLING TALENT.’

All in all, a daunting task lies ahead for Northants as they prepare to face off against the World Champions. Then again, as the scorecards from 1911 and 1996 show only too well, nothing can ever be taken for granted once the action gets underway.

Besides, for all their pyrotechnics and million dollar endorsement deals, the Indians lack a batsman willing and able to sweep Brett Lee for six off a length.

In one sense, at least, the odds are stacked in Northants’ favour.

Richard Barker

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COMMERCIAL TEAM

PUSHING FOR NEW HEIGHTS Northants Cricket is extremely excited to be entering what we are sure will be an exhilarating Friends Life t20 campaign both on and off the field.

Not only are the team working hard and striving for success in all forms of the game, but the commercial team are also pushing for new heights whilst busily putting together a fantastic schedule of events to take place throughout the summer and into the winter months.

This summer will see a first for Northants Cricket, with the arrival of Sir Elton John who will be performing a historic concert here at the County Ground on Saturday 25th June.

Northants Cricket is also thrilled to be welcoming Graeme Swann back to the County Ground later in the year, where guests will enjoy a fantastic evening of entertainment with Graeme and hear some of the stories to come out of England’s superb Ashes win, as well as stories on Graeme’s journey to success which started right here at Northants!

Other corporate events taking place this year will be the club’s annual Golf Day, taking place at Staverton Park Hotel on Thursday 4th August. In addition, this year’s End of Season Dinner will be held in our impressive Chronicle and Echo Arena on Thursday 8th September, for what could prove to be a great celebration of a hugely successful season.

The County Ground Events Venue are pleased to announce this year’s Christmas programme will take on a Las Vegas theme, with a different tribute act every night.

The confirmed Christmas dates are Friday 9th, Saturday 10th, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th December. If you would like more information on this exciting programme, please contact Clare Catchpole on 01604 609249 or email clare.catchpole@nccc.co.uk If you would like to discuss how you or your company can be involved with Northants Cricket through sponsorship and advertising opportunities, or you would like to attend any of our events, please contact either Keeley Rawlinson on 01604 514490, email keeley.rawlinson@nccc.co.uk, or Julie Farley on 01604 609281, emailJulie.farley@nccc.co.uk.

KEELEY RAWLINSON

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‘I WANT TO PLAY BETTER THAN BEFORE’

CHAMINDA VAAS The Steelbacks have a proud tradition of bringing in overseas players who go on to contribute massively to the ambitions of the club, a fact proved by the efforts of international stars such as Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Curtly Ambrose and Johan van der Wath to name a few.

Chaminda is no different and starred for the Steelbacks with bat and ball in last year’s Friends Provident t20. The all-rounder contributed 412 runs in the competition to go alongside his 23 wickets. The Sri Lankan produced stunning performances that helped the Steelbacks recover from a faltering start to storm into the quarter finals.

His performances did not go unnoticed, as Chaminda was named the PCA’s FTI Most Valuable t20 Player and the club’s t20 Player of the season. Quite simply, Vaas was untouchable. Chaminda spoke modestly about his efforts last term, in saying, “I was really happy with the way I performed last season.

I wanted to get into the Sri Lankan side and knew I had to perform extremely well here to do that. I was really pleased with my performances last year.”

“Yes, it was one of my best spells,” continued the wicket-taking legend.

“The guys played really well, backing me up and helping me out a lot.

David Capel also supported me really well last year and I was really pleased with how it turned out. I felt I performed extremely well, both my batting and bowling came off superbly.”

It is hardly surprising the County and in particular David Capel moved rapidly to secure the services of the experienced campaigner for the entirety of this season, a decision surely made easier for Vaas by his performances in 2010.

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“Yes it did make it easier. When you have a good bunch of guys in the dressing room to hang around with, and to play good cricket with - that is why I came here in the first place and why I decided to come back this season. When they asked me if I’d like to come back, I said ‘yes’ because it gave me that opportunity to play some good exciting cricket. The team plays some superb cricket and everything is right for me here. I like it here.”

One of Sri Lanka’s greatest ever new-ball bowlers, Vaas was promoted to a pinch-hitting opening role after the Steelbacks’ third loss on the bounce at the start of last season’s Friends Provident t20 – a move that paid off astonishingly well for the Steelbacks. When asked which he prefers, batting or bowling, the seamer said, “Batting is always challenging for me, playing traditionally as a bowler, but if I can get runs for the team, then that’s a bonus. I did well last season and am doing so at the moment. I’m trying to play as a typical all-rounder, and I’m really happy with the way it is going.”

A veteran of over 1100 games of cricket, Chaminda has performed admirably in all forms of the sport, be in on the county or world stage, and the left-handed batsman enjoys it all.

“As long as I’m fit enough I would like to play all forms of cricket, be that championship cricket, twenty20 cricket or the 40 over cricket. My body is still strong and I’m looking forward to each and every match. I’ve played well at the start of the season and I will try and continue that throughout the season.”

“I prefer the longer format but that doesn’t mean I don’t like t20 cricket. I want to deliver the best I can in all forms of cricket for Northants.

“I never set myself targets.” added the 37-year-old. “Even last year, when I had a good season, I didn’t set any targets. I take things game by game and try to improve game by game. I feel that if I take wickets and score runs in every game I play, then I believe that getting 400 runs and 25 wickets is definitely possible!

“I want to play better than ever before and I have to start by matching what I did for the team in last year’s competition. Hopefully after I do that, I can go on and get more wickets and runs for the Steelbacks.”

Chaminda was instrumental in the Steelbacks’ push for the quarter finals in 2010, and the ex-Middlesex, Worcestershire and Hampshire seamer is convinced that 2011 can be the year of the Steelbacks, and not just in the Friends Life t20.

“We played superbly at the start of the season and the boys are super confident.

‘WE DEFINITELY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO WIN THIS YEAR. THE GUYS ARE PLAYING REALLY WELL AND EACH OF US KNOW EXACTLY WHAT OUR ROLE IS IN THE TEAM. I KNOW WE ALL WILL BE GIVING IT 100% IN EVERY MATCH THIS SEASON.’

We have to take this campaign game by game because we know that t20 cricket is a different ball-game. We have to play well from the first game to the last. We definitely have a good chance to win this year. The guys are playing really well and each of us know exactly what our role is in the team. I know we all will be giving it 100% in every match this season.”

With experience comes the knowledge of how to cope with the pressure of playing in t20 cricket, and Chaminda is example of that. Appearing in 45 t20 matches, the seamer has taken 55 wickets at 19 and scored 622 runs at an average of over 20. “I don’t really feel any pressure,” he says. “That’s because I’ve played cricket for so many years for Sri Lanka and played County cricket. There isn’t any pressure for me so I just try to enjoy the game and deliver whatever I can in the middle.”

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‘I WAS REALLY PLEASED WITH HOW IT TURNED OUT. I FELT I PERFORMED EXTREMELY WELL, BOTH MY BATTING AND BOWLING CAME OFF SUPERBLY.’ When it comes to cricket, Chaminda has been there, done that, and got the T-shirts! And it is with this vast amount of experience that he can contribute even further to the Northants’ cause. With so many youngsters fighting their way into first XI reckoning, the Sri Lankan is on hand to offer any advice they want.

“I’ve see so many youngsters learn from me and I’m more than happy to try and give them hints and tips – whatever I can, basically. I’m impressed with the talent on show here at Northampton. Alex Wakely and David Willey have bright futures ahead of them and David Lucas is a talented bowler. They are keen to learn and want to improve – I just try and give advice learnt from 17 years in the game. Hopefully, one day I can see some of the lads here play for England.”

As one of two overseas signings here at the County Ground for this season, Chaminda suggested that Johan Botha will like the experience of playing for the Steelbacks in the Friends Life t20.

“It’s a good signing. Johan is a very competent cricketer who is playing really well at the moment, not just for South Africa but in the IPL as well. It’s going to be very interesting and I’m sure he’s looking forward to the challenge of playing for the Steelbacks.”

The challenge Chaminda talks about is one the all-rounder is relishing as he continues to help the Steelbacks in their never-ending quest for cricketing glory.

Brendan Gilbert

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‘WHEN YOU HAVE A GOOD BUNCH OF GUYS IN THE DRESSING ROOM TO HANG AROUND WITH, AND TO PLAY GOOD CRICKET WITH - THAT IS WHY I CAME HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND WHY I DECIDED TO COME BACK THIS SEASON.’

‘WE’LL CARRY ON SURPRISING’

JACK BROOKS When Northamptonshire Steelbacks made the Twenty20 Cup Finals day two years ago, Jack Brooks was there at Edgbaston. Sadly for him, it was only as a spectator where he saw his team-mates get edged out by eventual winners Sussex Sharks in a thrilling semi-final.

Back then, the seamer was still a relative unknown having been snapped up from playing club and Minor Counties cricket in Oxfordshire the previous winter. Indeed, he had only made his first class debut less than a month prior to the Twenty20 finals against the touring Australians.

Claiming the wickets of Andrew McDonald and Mitchell Johnson in the first innings of that match at the County Ground gave a glimpse of Brooks’ talent and his first full season of county cricket in 2010 saw him impress many observers.

He is looking forward to renewing his new ball partnership with Chaminda Vaas in this year’s rebranded Friends Life t20, and is very clear about what his role within the Steelbacks side is. Brooks said: “From a bowler's point of view, if you don't get whacked you treat it as a bonus and try to enjoy the fact that every ball you have has got to be on the money, wherever you want to bowl it.

“Me and Vaasy had a good opening partnership last year and in almost every game one of us picked up wickets to give us a good start. Hopefully we can do the same this year. My role in the team as the opening bowler is to try and take early wickets and not to get hit around too much. It's difficult in the first six overs to try and not get hit for too many boundaries.

As well as taking 37 wickets in first class cricket, Brooks established himself as a key member of the Northants side that reached the quarter finals of the Friends Provident t20 before losing at Somerset, and he puts that down to being on the sidelines at Edgbaston the year before. “I was in the crowd at the finals day enjoying the atmosphere and having a few drinks. I enjoyed watching it and it gave me the hunger to be part of it,” recalls Brooks.

“Last year I got given my chance, grabbed it with both hands and now I think I'm an integral part of the team in Twenty20.

“I've got a big role that [captain] Andrew Hall has explained to me, and I've taken it on board. We'd like to get to the quarters at least, but I think we're capable of going all the way. We've got a well-balanced squad and we have just got to make sure we play well every game.”

Brooks had experienced Twenty20 cricket in club competitions before, but confesses that the intensity is ratcheted up several levels when you’re playing on the county circuit in front of large crowds.

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‘WE'LL CARRY ON SURPRISING TEAMS AND UPSETTING TEAMS HERE, AND THE LADS ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN GET TO THE QUARTERS THIS YEAR, AND HOPEFULLY FINALS DAY.’

“I've got a simple game plan to bowl just short of a length, quite straight, and if I get it right I don't get whacked too often.

“I haven't come back much at the end of the innings when the bat is being swung around as much, but with Twenty20 each person has to have a role and as long as they have got a clear mind of what to do, then all you have to do is apply those skills. Last year I managed to get it right the majority of the time and I'm going to try and do the same again this year.”

The 26-year-old is also optimistic that South African spinner Johan Botha will form a dangerous two-pronged attack with James Middlebrook to keep teams tied down during the middle overs, and believes that the Northants bowling unit is a dangerous one.

While a return to the quarter finals is the minimum requirement for David Capel’s team, Brooks feels that they have the potential to end the county’s 19 year wait for a domestic limited overs trophy – the last being the 1992 NatWest Trophy triumph.

He said: “It's the same as every year - our first aim is to get out of the group and make the quarter finals.

“Everyone recognises the fact we are a good one-day unit, especially in Twenty20 where we can be a dangerous side. We're well organised, we have a good role clarity in the squad and we tend to keep pretty much the same team for the Twenty20's.

“Hally leads us well, we've got good death bowlers, good opening bowlers and guys who can clear the ropes, which is important. Last year we were the only Division Two team to make it to the quarter finals, so there's maybe a bit of a trend there that Division One teams will be the favourites to get to the quarters.

“But we'll carry on surprising teams and upsetting teams here, and the lads are confident that we can get to the quarters this year, and hopefully finals day.”

Marc Bazeley

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

65

Andrew HALL

Gavin BAKER

01

DoB 31/07/1975 Role All Rounder (Captain) Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Right Arm Fast Medium Signature

16

DoB 03/10/1988 Role Bowler Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Right Arm Medium Fast Signature

Lee DAGGETT

10

Signature

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48

DoB 02/05/1982 Role Bowler Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Right Arm Off Break

25

24

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DoB 27/09/1972 Role Batsman Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style N/A Signature

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DoB 04/06/1984 Role Bowler Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Right Arm Medium Fast Signature

Mal LOYE

DoB 03/03/1988 Role Batsman Batting Style Left Handed Bowling Style Right Arm Medium Signature

DoB 13/11/1989 Role Bowler Batting Style Left Handed Bowling Style Off Spin

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DoB 26/04/1987 Role Bowler Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Right Arm Medium Fast Signature

Thomas BRETT

Signature

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DoB 01/10/1982 13/05/1977 Role Bowler All Rounder Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Right Off Spin Arm Medium Fast

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Johan BOTHA

David LUCAS

02

22

DoB 19/08/1978 Role Bowler Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Left Arm Medium Fast Signature

James MIDDLEBROOK

DoB 13/05/1977 Role All Rounder Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Off Spin

David MURPHY

07

Signature

19

Signature

David SALES

05

21

04

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08

DoB 15/10/1979 Role Batsman Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Leg Spin Signature

DoB 10/12/1978 Role Batsman Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Leg Break

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Signature

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DoB 03/11/1988 Role Batsman Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Right Arm Off Spin Signature

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Stephen PETERS

Signature

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DoB 27/01/1974 Role Bowler Batting Style Left Handed Bowling Style Left Arm Medium Fast Signature

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Niall O’BRIEN

Signature

Chaminda VAAS

DoB 03/12/1977 Role All Rounder Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style Right Arm Medium Signature

DoB 24/06/1989 Role Wicket Keeper / Batsman Batting Style Right Handed Bowling Style N/A

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DoB 28/02/1990 Role All Rounder Batting Style Left Handed Bowling Style Left Arm Medium Fast Signature

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

67

TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.northantscricket.com OR CALL 01604 514455

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NORTHANTS CRICKET

2011 FIXTURE LIST DAY

DATE

OPPOSITION

VENUE

COMPETITION

2 APRIL 8 APRIL 14 APRIL 20 APRIL 24 APRIL

LOUGHBOROUGH UCCE SURREY KENT ESSEX LEICESTERSHIRE

LOUGHBOROUGH UNI KIA OVAL THE COUNTY GR. THE COUNTY GR. THE COUNTY GR.

LV=CC2 LV=CC2 LV=CC2 CB40

1 MAY 4 MAY 8 MAY 11 MAY 20 MAY 22 MAY 24 MAY 29 MAY

DURHAM KENT WARWICKSHIRE GLOUCESTERSHIRE HAMPSHIRE (F) SCOTLAND LEICESTERSHIRE GLAMORGAN

EM. DURHAM ICG CANTERBURY THE COUNTY GR. BRISTOL ROSE BOWL THE COUNTY GR. THE COUNTY GR. THE COUNTY GR.

CB40 LV=CC2 CB40 LV=CC2 CB40 CB40 LV=CC2 LV=CC2

3 JUNE 5 JUNE 9 JUNE 10 JUNE 12 JUNE 15 JUNE 17 JUNE 18 JUNE 19 JUNE 25 JUNE 29 JUNE

LEICESTERSHIRE (F) WARWICKSHIRE DURHAM WORCESTERSHIRE YORKSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE DERBYSHIRE (F) NOTTINGHAMSHIRE LEICESTERSHIRE ESSEX WORCESTERSHIRE

THE COUNTY GR. EDGBASTON THE COUNTY GR. NEW ROAD HEADINGLEY CAR. THE COUNTY GR. THE COUNTY GR. TRENT BRIDGE GRACE ROAD CHELMSFORD MILTON KEYNES

FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 LV=CC2 LV=CC2 FL t20

RESULT

APRIL

SATURDAY FRIDAY THURSDAY WEDNESDAY SUNDAY

MATCH DRAWN MATCH DRAWN NCCC WON BY AN INNINGS & 159 RUNS MATCH DRAWN NCCC WON BY 7 WICKETS

MAY

SUNDAY WEDNESDAY SUNDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY SUNDAY TUESDAY SUNDAY

NCCC WON BY 5 WICKETS NCCC WON BY 5 WICKETS NCCC WON BY 18 RUNS NCCC WON BY AN INNINGS & 6 RUNS NCCC WON BY 7 WICKETS NCCC WON BY 4 WICKETS

JUNE

FRIDAY SUNDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SUNDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY SATURDAY WEDNESDAY LV=CC2 CB40 FL t20 TOM ODI (F)

72

LIVERPOOL VICTORIA COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION 2 CLYDESDALE BANK 40 TROPHY FRIENDS LIFE t20 TOURIST MATCH ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL FLOODLIT MATCH

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DAY

DATE

OPPOSITION

VENUE

COMPETITION

1 JULY 3 JULY 8 JULY 9 JULY 12 JULY 14 JULY 15 JULY 17 JULY 18 JULY 20 JULY 24 JULY 25 JULY 27 JULY

YORKSHIRE (F) LEICESTERSHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE (F) DERBYSHIRE LANCASHIRE DURHAM LANCASHIRE (F) SCOTLAND ENG. U19 v S.AFRICA U19 DERBYSHIRE LEICESTERSHIRE HAMPSHIRE (F) GLAMORGAN

THE COUNTY GR. GRACE ROAD THE COUNTY GR. DERBY THE COUNTY GR. EM. DURHAM ICG OLD TRAFFORD CITYLETS GRANGE THE COUNTY GR. THE COUNTY GR. GRACE ROAD THE COUNTY GR. SWANSEA

FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 FL t20 CB40 ODI LV=CC2 CB40 CB40 LV=CC2

3 AUGUST 5 AUGUST 7/8 AUGUST 11 AUGUST 15 AUGUST 16 AUGUST 17 AUGUST 21 AUGUST 23 AUGUST 27 AUGUST 29 AUGUST 31 AUGUST

SURREY (F) INDIA QUARTER-FINALS MIDDLESEX SURREY (F) ENG. LIONS v S.LANKA A DERBYSHIRE DURHAM MIDDLESEX FINALS DAY WARWICKSHIRE SURREY

KIA OVAL THE COUNTY GR. AS DRAWN LORDS THE COUNTY GR. THE COUNTY GR. CHESTERFIELD THE COUNTY GR. THE COUNTY GR. EDGBASTON EDGBASTON THE COUNTY GR.

CB40 TOM FL t20 LV=CC2 CB40 TOM LV=CC2 CB40 LV=CC2 FL t20 CB40 LV=CC2

4 SEPTEMBER 12 SEPTEMBER 17 SEPTEMBER

SEMI-FINALS GLOUCESTERSHIRE FINAL

AS DRAWN THE COUNTY GR. LORDS

CB40 LV=CC2 CB40

RESULT

JULY

FRIDAY SUNDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY TUESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SUNDAY MONDAY WEDNESDAY SUNDAY MONDAY WEDNESDAY AUGUST

WEDNESDAY FRIDAY THURSDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY SUNDAY TUESDAY SATURDAY MONDAY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY MONDAY SATURDAY

THE STEELBACK MAGAZINE - 2011

73

NORTHANTS RECREATIONAL CRICKET

DISABILITY CRICKET 2011 has seen the County Recreational Cricket Board embark on a programme aimed at widening the appeal of the sport and ensuring as many people as possible are welcomed into the game regardless of age, race, ability or gender, with a particular focus on making the game more accessible to the counties disabled population.

Previous years has seen us coaching disabled children included in the chance to shine programme, and have responded to requests from special needs schools to provide coaching sessions, to over 1000 disabled youngsters each year Whilst these activities proved valuable, this alone was not providing a sustained interest in cricket for the disabled community, nor did it offer players with an aptitude for the game the opportunity to realise their full potential within a disabled sporting structure.

In order to increase participation we needed to offer a more structured events programme, run county wide giving children and adult’s accessible regular cricket, all year round and a real chance for developing their skills in the game.

With a generous donation from the Northamptonshire County Cricket Club Youth Trust we have appointed a full time Community Development Coach, Andy Hill, whose role will be to deliver a structured coaching programme with the aim of introducing new players to the game and to offer a full player development pathway so that disabled cricketers in the county can realise their full playing potential.

The programme will cater for the needs of all disability groups, offering coaching and playing opportunities for field and table cricket, a game devised for those with more severe disability.

It is our intention to promote more disabled inclusion from our mainstream cricket clubs. We have an ambitious objective to have a minimum of 3 county representative squads by the end of 2012, entering these teams in national disabled competitions in 2014.

The disability programme is benefitting from the full support of the County Cricket club, who have designated the Friends Life t20 v Durham Dynamos on June 9th as a disability focus day, this will allow us to showcase our activities and will include demonstrations from disabled cricketers as well as the opportunity to try table cricket. We are hopeful that with an increased awareness we will be able to attract new sponsorship/funding to allow us to continue further than our current 2 year plan.

BARRY McKENNA

74

NORTHANTSCRICKET.COM

‘WE HAVE AN AMBITIOUS OBJECTIVE TO HAVE A MINIMUM OF THREE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE SQUADS BY THE END OF 2012, ENTERING THESE TEAMS IN NATIONAL DISABLED COMPETITIONS IN 2014.’