Willey shines again as County reach T20 final

David Willey claimed a second successive man-of-the-match award as Northamptonshire reached the final of the Counties T20 tournament on their pre-season tour to Barbados.
David Willey (left) has been on fine form in BarbadosDavid Willey (left) has been on fine form in Barbados
David Willey (left) has been on fine form in Barbados

The club’s new vice-captain followed his all-round heroics against Barbados on Saturday with a hard-hitting 77 off just 39 balls at the expense of Hampshire’s bowlers in the semi-final.

Rob Newton supported well with 52 from 37 deliveries as the Steelbacks reached 170-5 in their 20 overs.

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Hampshire were then dismissed for 138 - giving Northamptonshire victory by 32 runs - and although Willey, Josh Cobb and Rob Keogh picked up two wickets apiece it was teenager Saif Zaib who produced the most eye-catching bowling figures.

He claimed 3-24 in his four overs of left-arm spin - numbering England Lions batsman James Vince among his victims.

The final against Nottinghamshire went less well for the County who could only manage 122-9 despite the best efforts of Cobb (22), Olly Stone (20), Steven Crook (17) and skipper Alex Wakely (16).

Nottinghamshire reached their target at 126-3 with three overs to spare, thanks largely to former Northamptonshire man Riki Wessels with an unbeaten 59.

The squad now turns its attentions to red-ball cricket and a two-day match against Warwickshire starting on Tuesday.