The Steeler · https://thesteeler.news/writers/jeremy-blackmore
Editor
Northamptonshire's unbeaten start to the Vitality Blast is over after Somerset piled up 223 for four before dismissing the Steelbacks for 118 to record a comprehensive 105-run victory at Wantage Road.
06.07.26Matchday
In the first part of an exclusive interview with Ben Sanderson, the veteran seamer reflects on why he is still getting better with age, his evolution into one of the Vitality Blast's most effective bowlers and his new-ball partnership with David Willey.
04.07.26Features
Steelbacks Women will host Essex in next month’s County Cup quarter-final. Head coach David Ripley also reflects on the T20 campaign so far and looks ahead to Sunday’s Vitality Blast double-header against Gloucestershire.
02.07.26Features
Nathan McSweeney will return to Wantage Road next season after signing a new contract with Northamptonshire. The Australian international has committed to a second year with the county after making a major impact across red and white-ball cricket.
02.07.26News
David Willey and Nathan McSweeney struck lightning half-centuries as Northamptonshire Steelbacks chased down 185 with ease against Gloucestershire, extending their remarkable unbeaten start to this year's Vitality Blast to eight straight victories - full match report and reaction.
01.07.26Matchday
Calvin Harrison insists the Steelbacks have no intention of easing up after seven successive Vitality Blast victories, with Northamptonshire determined to maintain their aggressive approach against Gloucestershire tonight as they continue their pursuit of a home quarter-final.
01.07.26Features
Darren Lehmann described Northamptonshire's record-breaking victory over Essex as close to the perfect performance after the Steelbacks racked up 238 for six before bowling the visitors out for 108. The head coach also praised the county's T20 pitches and provided an update on Chris Lynn's fitness.
27.06.26News
Northamptonshire Steelbacks rewrote the record books with their highest-ever home T20 total before Calvin Harrison's sensational five-wicket haul completed a 130-run demolition of Essex and maintained their perfect Vitality Blast record.
26.06.26Matchday
David Willey has committed his future to Northamptonshire by signing a new three-year contract extension until the end of 2029. The Steelbacks captain, who becomes the club's all-time leading T20 appearance maker against Essex on Friday, says he is determined to build on the progress made over the past four years.
25.06.26News
Darren Lehmann praised his side's efforts after they took Division Two leaders Durham to the brink before an unbeaten David Bedingham century turned the game on the final evening.
23.06.26Matchday
Gus Miller's whirlwind journey from league cricket to County Championship action ended with a maiden first-class half-century as Northamptonshire stretched their advantage over Division Two leaders Durham to 245 runs.
21.06.26Matchday
Northamptonshire maintained the upper hand against Division Two leaders Durham as Ben Sanderson's four-wicket haul helped restrict the hosts to 302 for seven, leaving them 148 runs behind despite a fluent 95 from Ben Stokes.
20.06.26Matchday
Ben Stokes' return attracted the attention, but it was Ricardo Vasconcelos who dominated proceedings at Chester-le-Street, batting through the day for an unbeaten 181 as Northamptonshire took control of this County Championship clash.
19.06.26Matchday
Calvin Harrison reflects how Northamptonshire's recent Vitality Blast form helped lay the foundations for their thrilling final-day chase against Gloucestershire.
19.06.26Features
Northamptonshire will have six representatives in this summer's Hundred after James Sales earned a maiden call-up through the Vitality Wildcard Draft alongside fellow Steelbacks Ben Sanderson and Saif Zaib.
18.06.26News
Calvin Harrison lit up Wantage Road with a dazzling 92 as Northamptonshire raced down a target of 191 with more than two overs to spare, sealing a seven-wicket victory despite James Bracey's superb unbeaten 148 earlier in the day.
15.06.26Matchday
Northamptonshire moved to within touching distance of a second successive County Championship victory as their bowlers claimed 12 wickets in a dominant third day against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road.
14.06.26Matchday
Liam Guthrie's four wickets and career-best batting display against Gloucestershire underlined his growing value to Northamptonshire and handed head coach Darren Lehmann another selection dilemma as competition for places intensifies.
14.06.26Features
Liam Guthrie followed a career-best 52 with two key wickets and, while Graeme van Buuren and James Bracey led a determined Gloucestershire fightback, the visitors still trail by 232 runs at the end of day two of this Rothesay County Championship match at Wantage Road.
After a lean start to the season, Northamptonshire's leading run-scorer from 2025 returned to form in style, sharing a record 261-run partnership with Nathan McSweeney against Gloucestershire on day one at Wantage Road.
12.06.26Matchday
Beth Ascott says Liz Russell's insistence that every remaining game was a must-win helped galvanise the Steelbacks after successive defeats, while the batter also reflects on her growing confidence in T20 cricket following a match-winning unbeaten 39 against Leicestershire.
12.06.26Features
Australian fast bowler Harry Conway returns to Northamptonshire's ranks for the next two rounds of Championship fixtures after an impressive six-match spell earlier in the season.
11.06.26News
The Steeler verdict: Northamptonshire Steelbacks have reached the halfway stage of the Vitality Blast unbeaten and top of their group. Strong leadership and contributions across the team have fuelled their rise, but nobody at Wantage Road is getting carried away just yet.
10.06.26Opinion
Northamptonshire Steelbacks will look to make it six wins from six in the Vitality Blast when they host Worcestershire Rapids on Tuesday night but must do so without injured wicketkeeper Lewis McManus.
08.06.26News
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.
