Skip to main content
Sign in
Subscribe for £5
History

'We never felt like underdogs': Northamptonshire's 1976 Gillette Cup triumph remembered

Members

Fifty years after Northamptonshire's first-ever trophy triumph, Roy Virgin and Peter Willey recall in exclusive interviews how an unfancied side overcame one-day kings Lancashire in the 1976 Gillette Cup final at Lord's.

29.10.26 Jeremy Blackmore

Gilette cup

Features

IMG 5372
Members
Exclusive: Justin Broad on injury, an unexpected coaching role and his Northamptonshire future

After injury sidelined him for much of Northamptonshire's trophy-winning season, Justin Broad tells The Steeler how Darren Lehmann kept him involved, his “surprise” contract extension and his hopes for 2027.

10.10.26Features
Northamptonshire Head Coach Darren Lehmann with keeper Lewis McManus
Members
From India to Lehmann: How McManus transformed his batting

After another valuable innings against Derbyshire, Lewis McManus tells The Steeler how a self-funded trip to India began a batting transformation that has continued under Darren Lehmann.

17.09.26Features
IMG 0307
Members
Old Trafford the blueprint as Guthrie looks to make his pace count

Liam Guthrie reflects on his pacy opening-day spell against Derbyshire, explains how rest and rotation is helping him bowl quicker and reveals why his five-wicket match haul at Old Trafford is the blueprint he wants to follow.

16.09.26Features

Matchday

IMG 5268
Members
Zaib’s Lord’s century in vain as Northants promotion challenge ends in defeat

Saif Zaib completed his first century at Lord’s but Northamptonshire’s promotion challenge ended in defeat as Middlesex secured a seven-wicket victory.

26.09.26Matchday
IMG 5386
Members
Zaib leads Northants fightback but promotion hopes fade at Lord’s

Saif Zaib’s unbeaten 83 and a half-century from Ricardo Vasconcelos helped Northamptonshire fight back at Lord’s, although their promotion hopes continue to fade.

25.09.26Matchday
IMG 4600
Members
‘Really disappointed’ Lehmann rues poor day as Northants promotion hopes take major hit

Darren Lehmann admitted he was ‘really disappointed’ after Northamptonshire were bowled out for 103 before Middlesex responded with 255 on a damaging opening day at Lord’s.

24.09.26Matchday

News

IMG 0203
Members
Liam Guthrie signs Northamptonshire contract extension until 2028

Liam Guthrie has signed a one-year contract extension keeping him at Northamptonshire until the end of 2028, with head coach Darren Lehmann delighted to retain the left-arm seamer.

30.10.26News
Saif Zaib 25 3 26
Members
Hampshire confirm Zaib signing

Former Northamptonshire batter Saif Zaib thanks Northants for his time at Wantage Road, but says it's time for a change.

30.10.26News
IMG 8835
Members
Saif Zaib set to join Hampshire after Northamptonshire departure

The Steeler understands Saif Zaib is set to join Hampshire after Northamptonshire confirmed his departure from Wantage Road with a year remaining on his contract.

29.10.26News
Saif Zaib plays to leg against Durham - Wantage Road, September 2026. (Photograph: Peter Short)
Members
Breaking news: Saif Zaib to leave Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire have announced that Saif Zaib is to leave Wantage Road following an agreement with another county. Further updates to follow.

29.10.26News

Opinion

IMG 5109
Members
A View From The Box – Seizing control and regrouping

Northamptonshire’s County Championship season ended in defeat at the hands of Middlesex yesterday. Match day announcer and journalist Ben Pheazey, who was at Lord’s throughout the game, casts his eye over Northants’ differing approach to batting in the first and second innings.

27.09.26Opinion
IMG 6292
Members
A morning of mayhem and a lesson Northants must learn quickly

Northamptonshire’s extraordinary collapse to 50 all out against Durham exposed shortcomings they must address – but shouldn’t erase the considerable progress made during their promotion-chasing summer.

07.09.26Opinion
IMG 0843
Members
Lehmann backs Steelbacks to respond after first Blast setback

The Steelbacks men's head coach has identified the key areas Northamptonshire must improve after Sunday's defeat to Somerset as attention quickly turns to tonight's trip to Glamorgan.

08.07.26Opinion
IMG 8399
Members
A View From The Box – the captain’s conundrum

Northamptonshire’s County Championship match with Gloucestershire had a thrilling finish on Monday evening. Match day announcer and writer Ben Pheazey, who was at Wantage Road throughout the game, casts his eye on the captaincy challenges faced by Luke Procter and Cameron Bancroft on a compelling final day.

18.06.26Opinion

Get started with our free newsletter

Sign up to receive your free newsletter with articles and analysis from our team

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from The Steeler.