David Willey: Northants can play with freedom in T20 Blast quarter-final

The 34-year-old ended the 2013 final with a hat-trick as Northants won the Blast for the first time, and they did so again three years later.

But Thursday’s game is only their second appearance in the quarter-finals since then, losing by seven wickets to Gloucestershire in the amended-format 2020 tournament.

A place at Edgbaston for Finals Day on 14 September is the prize on offer for the winners and Willey said: “To have a home quarter-final is massive.

“Obviously we’re facing a bit of adversity with some injuries and our overseas [player] not available, but I think that makes it even more exciting for us.

“There are guys who are probably disappointed not to have had opportunities and this is a great time for them to step up and put their name in lights in a really important game.”

They will have Australian spin bowler Ashton Agar available, but the loss of veteran Bopara might be significant as he scored 265 runs and took 13 wickets in the group stage, at the age of 39.

Northants won their last three group games to make sure of progressing, but have not played in the 20-over format since 19 July.

“Early on in the competition it was about learning and working out what our formula is,” added Willey.

“It was about building to be performing at our best at the back end, and it couldn’t have gone any better in that respect.

“It hasn’t been one or two guys all the way through, it’s been everyone chipping in at different times and that’s been a big part of what I’ve wanted to create – it’s the team first.”