Steelbacks' showing was 'pretty grim', says Ripley

David Ripley reflected on a 'pretty grim' performance from Northants after they lost by 10 wickets to Warwickshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup opener at the County Ground.
Rikki Clarke impressed with the ball for Warwickshire, but Rob Keogh (left) stood tall for the Steelbacks (pictures: Kirsty Edmonds)Rikki Clarke impressed with the ball for Warwickshire, but Rob Keogh (left) stood tall for the Steelbacks (pictures: Kirsty Edmonds)
Rikki Clarke impressed with the ball for Warwickshire, but Rob Keogh (left) stood tall for the Steelbacks (pictures: Kirsty Edmonds)

Steelbacks skipper Alex Wakely lost the toss and that proved crucial as Warwickshire opted to field.

And with constant rain interruptions, Northants were unable to gather any momentum, losing wickets regularly as they were bowled out for just 151 in a game reduced to 30 overs per side.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Only Rob Keogh (69no) and Josh Cobb (33) provided any real resistance as Warwickshire took control.

Josh Cobb batted wellJosh Cobb batted well
Josh Cobb batted well

And the holders made it look easy with the bat as the opening pair got them home, with Sam Hain hitting an unbeaten 89 and Will Porterfield 63 not out.

"We just haven’t come out of the blocks at all," said Steelbacks head coach Ripley.

"We had the sharp end of the conditions batting first, we had to stop start and couldn’t get any partnerships together but still our performance is way down from where we expect it to be and we’ve been very well beaten.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I knew we were well under par but the ball went through a little and I expected our bowlers to be a handful.

"I was hopeful we could pull of something special but we never got started with the ball either so it’s a pretty grim effort all round really.”