1:41 AM IST & 9:11 PM Local Time: That’s the game! A dominant all-round display from Northamptonshire as they secure a comprehensive victory at home over Gloucestershire. They eventually cruise to a 7-wicket win with 22 balls to spare.
Earlier in the evening, Northamptonshire won the toss and chose to field first, and James Sales produced a dream spell with the new ball by removing both Gloucestershire openers inside the Powerplay, dismissing Miles Hammond for 8 and D'Arcy Short for a quickfire 23 off 16 balls. Gloucestershire reached 42/2 after six overs but continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Ben Charlesworth fought hard with a well-made 49 off 33 balls, though he found little support as the innings suffered two damaging collapses — first at 88 when Oliver Price and Jack Taylor fell within three deliveries, and then again at 115 when Kamran Ghulam and Charlesworth departed off successive balls.
Northamptonshire maintained control through the middle overs, never allowing the innings to gain momentum, before late contributions from Duan Jansen (14) and Matt Taylor (16*) lifted Gloucestershire to 164/9 from their 20 overs. James Sales was the standout performer, finishing with sensational figures of 5/21.
In reply, Northamptonshire made a positive start to the chase and never really allowed the required rate to climb. Oliver Price provided the only early breakthrough for Gloucestershire when he dismissed Ricardo Vasconcelos in the fourth over. From that point onwards, Nathan McSweeney and Chris Lynn took complete control of the chase with a superb partnership in the middle. The duo batted with great intent and gradually took the game away from the visitors.
Chris Lynn was at his destructive best, taking the attack to the bowlers from the outset, while McSweeney played a classy supporting hand and kept the scoreboard ticking. Their match-winning stand of 91 runs was finally broken in the 13th over when Lynn departed after a blistering 69 off just 36 balls, but by then the contest was firmly in Northamptonshire's grasp. McSweeney continued his fine knock before eventually falling for 53 off 36 deliveries. David Willey remained unbeaten on 18 and applied the finishing touches as Northamptonshire sealed a convincing 7-wicket victory with 22 balls to spare.