Summary
Vitality Blast Men
Quarter-Final / Northampton
Northamptonshire Steelbacks
1532
Gloucestershire
152
Northamptonshire Steelbacks win by 8 wickets
Summary
Over 18: 14 runs. Bowler: Duan Jansen. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 153/2 (rr 8.66)
A full delivery on off stump, no movement from the bowler. Willey flicks it with impeccable timing through midwicket for a quick two.
A length ball outside off presents a perfect opportunity and Willey seizes it with a controlled, middled drive. The ball races away for six over long on, a gorgeous way to punctuate the over. Northamptonshire have moved to 151 for 2 with that boundary.
No movement as the bowler delivers a full-length ball outside off. Willey attempts a flick but mistimes it, the ball trickling away for two runs to deep backward square leg.
A slower ball pitched length and down the leg side, left alone by the batter. The wide signal is raised, adding a free run to the total.
A high beamer down the leg side, called a no ball, as McManus attempts a mistimed pull and manages just a single.
On a length ball outside off, David Willey drives crisply down the ground with perfect timing, picking up a single.
Summary
Over 17: 15 runs. Bowler: Marchant de Lange. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 139/2 (rr 8.18)
A slower ball pitched down leg, Willey glances it off the inside edge for a quick single to backward square leg. That brings the total to 15 in the over. Northamptonshire now need 14 runs from 18 balls with eight wickets in hand, chasing at a required rate of 4.7.
This slower ball outside off is met with a controlled drive through the covers, picking up a quick single.
A short, no movement delivery just outside off stump. Lewis McManus slices a top-edged hook that races over fine leg for six! That's the first six of the innings and McManus has now struck two boundaries this over.
Short and straight on off stump, this no-movement delivery is met with a well-timed pull from the batter. He plays it controlled and cuts it through deep square leg for a boundary. Lewis McManus gets off the mark with that elegant four.
Willey splices a yorker on off stump with a controlled drive, sneaking it past the infield for a quick single.
No movement on this full-toss outside off, David Willey confidently drives it along the ground, racing away to the deep cover boundary but a quick misfield sees them sneak through for two.
Summary
Over 16: 11 runs. Bowler: Matt Taylor. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 124/2 (rr 7.75)
Taylor delivers a short slower ball outside off, and Willey pulls it low and controlled towards deep mid-wicket, managing a quick single. Northamptonshire need 29 runs from 24 balls with eight wickets in hand as the chase intensifies.
A short, no movement delivery outside off, Willey rocks back and drives a controlled pull through the on-side for a couple. David Willey moves to thirty off 25 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Slower ball tossed short just outside off, and Willey drives it firmly into the pull region, racing through for a sharp two as the fielder at long on recovers quickly.
Matt Taylor bowls a length ball just outside off, and Willey plays a well-timed drive through the covers, picking up a neat two.
A short outside off delivery, the slower ball tempts David Willey into a cut shot, but he only manages an inside edge back towards the keeper for no run.
A back of a length delivery angling outside off, and Willey meets it with a well-timed, controlled drive. The ball races elegantly through extra cover for four.
Summary
Over 15: 5 runs. Bowler: D'Arcy Short. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 113/2 (rr 7.53)
A length slider on middle stump tempts McSweeney to sweep but he misses, the ball striking his pad. He's given out leg before wicket after the umpire's decision. McSweeney departs for 28 from 20. Northamptonshire need 40 runs from 30 balls with 8 wickets in hand, the required rate at 8.0.
Willey leans back on a stock ball outside off, pulling it firmly along the ground and taking a quick single.
A length stock ball drifting down the leg side, worked deftly by the batter to pick up a comfortable single.
Short sends down a length ball on middle stump, and Willey attempts a flick, slightly mis-timed but still manages to steer it down to mid wicket for a comfortable single.
D'Arcy Short offers a length stock ball just outside off. David Willey meets it with a well-timed drive, sending it racing through the cover region for a quick two runs despite a misfield at deep cover.
Short bowls a full stock ball just outside off stump, and David Willey attempts a drive but misses it completely. No run comes off this delivery.
Summary
Over 14: 11 runs. Bowler: Marchant de Lange. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 108/1 (rr 7.71)
A yorker aimed at middle stump, the batter attempts a drive but only manages to splice it, sneaking a single down the ground. Northamptonshire require 45 runs from 36 balls with nine wickets in hand; the chase continues.
A full delivery on leg stump and Willey executes a well-timed flick through midwicket, picking up a neat two runs.
A full delivery on the leg stump, David Willey attempts a flick but mistimes it, sending the ball awkwardly towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
Length ball on leg stump, McSweeney steers a controlled glance, picking up a single towards deep backward square leg.
A short, no movement delivery outside off, McSweeney goes for the pull but miscues it. The ball flies uncontrolled towards deep backward square leg and races away for four thanks to a misfield. Northamptonshire move to 102 for 1.
A back of a length leg cutter around off stump, and the batter attempts a pull but misses completely. A dot ball.
A full delivery down the leg side from the bowler, Nathan McSweeney attempts a gentle glance but misses, and the umpire signals a wide. The wicketkeeper fields it cleanly.
Summary
Over 13: 7 runs. Bowler: D'Arcy Short. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 97/1 (rr 7.46)
David Willey leans into a full-length stock ball just outside off and elegantly drives it along the ground but finds no gap, resulting in a dot ball. Northamptonshire require 56 runs from 42 balls with 9 wickets in hand; the chase is on despite tough odds.
Short back of a length googly on leg stump, and McSweeney drives it crisply with controlled timing, picking up a well-run single.
D'Arcy Short runs in and delivers a length ball down the leg side. McSweeney sweeps it crisply along the ground, picking up two runs thanks to a misfield at short fine leg.
Short delivers a full stock ball just outside off stump. Willey steps forward and drives it crisply along the ground, picking up a neat single.
D'Arcy Short bowls a length stock ball just outside off stump, and David Willey drives it crisply through the field for two runs, timing it beautifully and keeping the ball along the ground.
McSweeney steps forward and plays a controlled drive on a full stock ball outside off, running a single to deep cover.
Summary
Over 12: 6 runs. Bowler: Duan Jansen. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 90/1 (rr 7.5)
On a length ball straight down the leg side, McSweeney delicately flicks it off his pads for a smart single, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Northamptonshire face a chase needing 63 from 48 balls, with plenty of wickets in hand but a challenging rate to maintain.
Jansen delivers a yorker right on middle stump, and McSweeney attempts a drive but ends up splicing it. The ball stays grounded and is quickly fielded for no run.
David Willey leans back on a short, no-movement delivery outside off and pulls it low to deep backward square leg for a quick single.
Short and outside off, this no-movement delivery is pulled by the batter but mis-timed, skimming off the bat for a couple towards deep square leg.
Down the leg side on a length, McSweeney elegantly flicks the ball along the ground for a quick single.
A length ball just outside off, Willey leans into a controlled drive, keeping it along the ground for a quick single.
Summary
Over 11: 4 runs. Bowler: D'Arcy Short. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 84/1 (rr 7.64)
Short and outside off, this stock ball is pulled firmly along the ground by David Willey for a quick single, smart running between the wickets. Northamptonshire require 69 runs from 54 balls with nine wickets intact in a challenging chase.
A length ball outside off, the batter steps forward to drive but fails to find the gap, the ball fielded cleanly at extra cover.
Short and full outside off, Willey bends his wrists nicely to flick the ball neatly through mid-wicket for a stylish two.
D'Arcy Short bowls a length stock ball outside off stump, and David Willey attempts a drive but misses entirely, leaving the ball to be neatly collected by the wicketkeeper.
Short and on the pads, the stock ball is pulled firmly through mid-wicket for a quick single.
A length ball on leg stump from the bowler, McSweeney pushes it quietly back towards Short who completes the easy fielding. No run added.
Summary
Over 10: 8 runs. Bowler: Marchant de Lange. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 80/1 (rr 8.0)
A short, straight delivery on middle stump. Willey attempts a cut but can only splice it to the cover fielder, resulting in no run. Northamptonshire need 73 from 60 balls with nine wickets in hand, holding steady in the chase.
Marchant de Lange bowls a length ball down the leg side, and David Willey mis-times a glance through the leg side for a couple. David Willey is off the mark.
Back of a length ball on leg stump is met with a controlled drive through the covers, but it yields no run as the fielder at mid off is alert.
The slower ball is bowled on a length, angling on leg stump, and Vasconcelos goes for a drive but mis-times it badly. The ball floats up to mid off where Charlesworth takes the catch to end his innings. Ricardo Vasconcelos departs for 42 off 30.
A short, no movement delivery outside off, hammered back through square leg by McSweeney for one run.
Down the leg side, the batter attempts a glance but misses, with the ball drifting wide and conceding an extra wide run. The keeper, stationed behind the stumps, quickly fields the wayward delivery.
Marchant de Lange delivers a length ball on middle stump, met crisply by McSweeney. He executes a well-timed flick through mid-wicket, racing away for four.
Summary
Over 9: 4 runs. Bowler: Graeme van Buuren. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 72/0 (rr 8.0)
A length ball on the leg stump from the bowler, expertly flicked off the pads for a single as the batter keeps the strike ticking over. Northamptonshire are chasing 81 from 66 balls with all wickets in hand, maintaining a steady pressure.
Van Buuren bowls a length stock ball just outside off, and McSweeney drives it crisply, catching the outside edge for a quick two runs to deep backward point.
The stock ball is pitched at a length on leg stump, and Vasconcelos plays a controlled glance off the back foot, sneaking a single to short fine leg.
Van Buuren delivers a yorker just outside off, and Vasconcelos attempts a drive but misses completely. No run here.
The bowler delivers a full stock ball outside off, and the batter attempts a sweep but misses completely, resulting in no run.
An arm ball on a length just around off stump, the batter attempts a drive but misses, with the keeper taking the ball cleanly.
Summary
Over 8: 11 runs. Bowler: D'Arcy Short. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 68/0 (rr 8.5)
D'Arcy Short bowls a full stock ball on off stump, and McSweeney steps into a well-timed drive, sending the ball racing through extra cover for four. Northamptonshire chase 85 from 72 balls with all wickets intact, still chasing at just over seven an over.
McSweeney works a length ball down the leg side nicely, maneuvering it through the mid-wicket area for a comfortable two runs.
Short-length googly on middle stump sees the batter work it carefully through the on side, picking up a well-judged single.
Short settles for a length ball just outside off stump, and Vasconcelos works it neatly through the covers for two runs.
Down the leg side, a full-length stock ball is met with a controlled flick from McSweeney who tweaks it off his pads for a single. Nathan McSweeney gets off the mark early in the innings.
Short sends a stock ball on a length just outside off stump, and Vasconcelos drives it crisply along the ground for a well-timed single.
Summary
Over 7: 9 runs. Bowler: Graeme van Buuren. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 57/0 (rr 8.14)
Ricardo Vasconcelos works a length ball down the leg side with neat control, picking up a single through mid-wicket. Northamptonshire need 96 runs from 78 balls with all wickets in hand, chasing steadily.
Van Buuren bowls a full-length stock ball just outside off stump. Vasconcelos cuts hard, timing it sweetly through third man for four with a neat outside edge.
A full stock ball pitched down the leg side, flicked neatly by Ricardo Vasconcelos through mid-wicket for a comfortable two.
An arm ball angling on off stump, the batter attempts a cut but misses, resulting in a dot ball.
Van Buuren bowls a full-length stock ball outside off, and Chris Lynn drives it crisply along the ground for a comfortable single. That partnership nudges up to 50 runs from 38 balls, moving Northamptonshire to a strong 50 without loss.
A back of a length stock ball on leg, Vasconcelos pulls it firmly along the ground towards deep square leg, taking a quick single. Ricardo Vasconcelos moves past thirty runs off just eighteen balls with a strike rate of 167.
Summary
Over 6: 9 runs. Bowler: Duan Jansen. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 48/0 (rr 8.0)
A yorker delivered straight down the leg side. Chris Lynn attempts a glance but misses, the ball striking his pad for no run. Northamptonshire require 105 runs from 84 balls with all wickets intact, chasing at a required rate of 7.5.
On a length ball outside off, the batter attempts a drive but only manages a bottom edge, running a quick single to mid on.
A slower ball drifts wide outside off, a half-tracker that the batter wisely leaves alone. The wide adds an extra run to the total.
On a back of a length delivery outside off, Vasconcelos plays a solid defensive stroke, keeping the ball grounded and safe. It's a tidy dot ball with no run added.
Duan Jansen bowls a back of a length delivery just outside off stump. Ricardo Vasconcelos dispatches it with a well-timed cut, racing the ball crisply through the cover region for four.
Outswinging just outside off, the back of a length delivery is met with a crisp, well-timed cut by Vasconcelos, slicing through the point region for a neat two.
A slower ball full toss outside off, Vasconcelos goes for a drive but mistimes it, allowing the bowler to field comfortably.
Jansen bowls a seaming-in length delivery on leg stump. Vasconcelos attempts a glance but just misses, and it's called a wide, adding an extra run.
Summary
Over 5: 11 runs. Bowler: Matt Taylor. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 39/0 (rr 7.8)
The full-length delivery on the outside off is met crisply. Chris Lynn drives it with great timing, sending the ball racing gracefully through cover for four. Northamptonshire are chasing 114 from 90 balls with all wickets intact, facing a challenging required run rate of 7.6.
Chris Lynn steps out and unleashes a controlled slog off a length ball outside off stump, timing it well to pick up two runs despite a sharp run saved at deep mid wicket.
Taylor bowls a length ball on off stump, and Vasconcelos expertly glances it off the pads for a comfortable single.
Matt Taylor offers a no movement, back of a length delivery outside off. Vasconcelos carves a well-timed late cut, racing the ball along the ground through third man for four.
A length delivery outside off stump is met with a neat, controlled defensive stroke by Ricardo Vasconcelos, who keeps it on the ground for no run.
A full-length seaming delivery outside off stump, Ricardo Vasconcelos attempts a drive but only manages an inside edge that is safely fielded at mid-wicket, resulting in no run.
Summary
Over 4: 9 runs. Bowler: Marchant de Lange. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 28/0 (rr 7.0)
A back of a length delivery on middle stump, met with a controlled drive by the batter, but there's no run as the fielder at cover cuts it off cleanly. Northamptonshire require 125 from 96 balls, keeping the chase steady with all ten wickets in hand.
On a length outside off, the batter confidently drives the ball along the ground, but the fielder at extra cover cuts it off neatly for no run.
De Lange delivers a slower length ball just outside off, and Chris Lynn tries to drive but misses completely, resulting in a dot ball.
Marchant de Lange delivers a length ball swinging in down the leg side, and Ricardo Vasconcelos skillfully glances it for a single to deep backward square leg.
A length ball seaming away on leg stump is met with a powerful drive, resulting in a thick edge that races away to third man for four. Ricardo Vasconcelos adds another boundary, his second in this over.
A short, no-movement delivery down the leg side is met crisply by the batter. He plays a well-timed cut, sending the ball racing to backward point for four.
Summary
Over 3: 7 runs. Bowler: Duan Jansen. Northamptonshire Steelbacks: 19/0 (rr 6.33)
A full-length swinging in delivery on middle stump, and Lynn defends it neatly, keeping the scoreboard calm with no run. Northamptonshire face a challenging chase of 134 from 102 balls with all wickets intact, holding a 78% winning probability.
A length ball outside off, skillfully steered by Vasconcelos into the off-side for a quick single.
On a back of a length delivery on off stump, the batter pulls crisply with perfect timing. The ball races along the ground, piercing through deep backward square leg for four.
Chris Lynn gently glances the length ball down the leg side, darting off for a well-placed single.
Seaming away on a length and right on middle stump, the batter attempts a drive but misses, resulting in no run.
A short ball outside off, Vasconcelos pulls it low and controlled towards deep backward square leg, picking up a single.