Steelbacks skipper Willey up and running with Dubai Capitals in International League T20

The all-rounder is part of the Capitals squad for the tournament that started at the beginning of December, and after his side lost their opening two matches, they got off the mark with an 83-run win over the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders last weekend.

Willey didn't bat as Capitals made 186 for four in their 20 overs, with Rovman Powell hammering 96 not out and Jordan Cox 52.

The Knight Riders attack included former Northants men Olly Stone and Jason Holder.

Willey then shone with the ball, claiming the scalps of Alex Hales and Alishan Sharafu to claim two for 13 as Knight Riders were rushed out for just 103, with former Steelbacks all-rounder Mohammad Nabi taking two for 12.

Willey had endured wicketless innings in the Capitals' first two matches as they lost to Desert Vipers and Gulf Giants, going down by four wickets on both occasions, but with the bat he did score 29 from 28 balls in the latter defeat.

Willey and the Capitals face a double header this weekend, as they go to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Saturday and then host Desert Vipers on Sunday. Both matches start at 2.30pm GMT and will be shown live on Sky Sports.

They then host MI Emirates in Dubai next Wednesday (Dec 17), before going to the Sharjah Warriors on Friday, December 19. The International League T20 group stages go on until December 27.

A clutch of Northants players are also currently involved in the Nepal Premier League.

Saif Zaib and Ravi Bopara are both playing regularly for Chitwan Rhinos, who have won two and lost five of their seven games to date, while George Scrimshaw has also made one appearance for Rhinos. Ricardo Vasconcelos has played one game for Kathmandu Gorkhas

Bopara is currently fourth on the list of top run-scorers, having hit 237 in seven innings, with that chart being headed up by former Northants man Adam Rossington on 323.