Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Durham v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Venue: Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Date: Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
A clash between two sides who have endured contrasting fortunes during the opening rounds.
Durham, who have only once reached the final of the Blast, have won four of their six games, losing just one to put them in strong contention for a top-four berth.
They have lost just once, to reigning champions Notts Outlaws by 13 runs.
Northamptonshire Steelbacks meanwhile are the only county without a single Blast win, having lost five of their six games.
Their losing streak was ended against Worcestershire Rapids when rain came to their aid - but otherwise, it has been a campaign to forget so far for David Ripley's side.
Who’s in form?
Matty Potts has taken his new ball prowess from last term into the start of the 2021 campaign Durham, having claimed nine wickets in five outings.
With the bat, David Bedingham has brought his first-class form into the Blast with two fifties in five innings, scoring his 173 tournament runs at a strike rate of 157.27.
Northants have not yet produced any particularly stand-out individual performances, understandably given their poor start to the campaign,
Nevertheless, Wayne Parnell has kept things tight with his 20 overs only going at 7.30 runs an over while there have been seven wickets for Tom Taylor.
Only one player has reached three figures for tournament runs for the Steelbacks, Rob Keogh but there will be much expected of Mohammad Nabi in both suites now his overseas spell has begun.
What’s the team news?
Durham: Durham have named an unchanged 13-strong squad with several members of the team still in self-isolation. Kyle Coetzer and Ally Evans remain having agreed to temporary loan moves. Paul Coughlin is unavailable due to injury.
Durham squad: Cameron Bancroft (c), David Bedingham, Scott Borthwick, Brydon Carse, Kyle Coetzer, Graham Clark, Sean Dickson, Ned Eckersley, Ally Evans, Matthew Potts, Ben Raine, Ben Stokes, Liam Trevaskis
Northamptonshire Steelbacks: Academy left-arm wrist-spinner Freddie Heldreich joins the squad for this one.
Northamptonshire Steelbacks squad: Adam Rossington, Nathan Buck, Ben Curran, Brandon Glover, Freddie Heldreich, Rob Keogh, Mohammad Nabi, Wayne Parnell, Ben Sanderson, Tom Taylor, Charlie Thurston, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Graeme White, Saif Zaib
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Durham: WAWLW
Northamptonshire Steelbacks: LALLL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 17
Durham wins: 8
Northamptonshire Steelbacks wins: 7
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 3
No result: 2
Latest Northamptonshire Steelbacks news
What’s the weather forecast?
Though it might be an overcast day in Durham the rain is expected to stay away, leading to a fully game with temperatures at 18 degrees Celsius.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Chester-le-Street: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are sold out. Members and season ticket-holders can still gain entry with their regular pass.
Click here to access the Durham box office.
Travel
Address: Durham County Cricket Club, Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 3QR
By car: The ground is situated a mile outside Chester-le-Street. There are two car parks at the ground.
The Emirates Riverside has a designated drop-off and pick-up point for all cars and taxis.
A road closure may be in place on B1284 Rotary Way immediately after play finishes. The club say it is advisable for vehicles to be at the pick-up point approximately 15 minutes before close of play. All vehicles must turn left when exiting from the pick-up point.
Details regarding road closures for major events will be made available on the Durham CCC website two to three weeks prior to the event taking place.
By public transport: Chester-le-Street rail station is served by Northern Rail, CrossCountry & First TransPennine trains. The station is a 20-minute walk from the ground. East Coast services stop at both Durham and Newcastle instead.
There is a shuttle bus service available from Durham Station to and from Emirates Riverside.
Several buses beginning their journeys in Newcastle stop near the Riverside.
How do I follow the match?
Durham will be streaming the game via their official website. Click here for their match centre.
All T20 Blast matches are available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Prediction?
Northants' wretched run has to come to an end sooner or later but Durham have made an impressive start to the season. Their first win of the campaign may have to wait. Home win.
OTHER T20 BLAST PREVIEWS FOR JUNE 23
North Group
Yorkshire Vikings v Worcestershire Rapids
South Group
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