David Willey: Steelbacks deserve more credit for T20 Blast form

Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ players deserve more credit for their T20 Blast performances, according to captain David Willey.

A 10-run win over Birmingham Bears on Wednesday made it six wins from their opening six games of the competition.

They are top of the North Group in which seven victories last season was enough to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“There are some brilliant players here – we’ve got Saif [Zaib] in The Hundred this year but there are a few more guys I would hope would get recognition for their performances and get picked up for a wildcard,” the former England all-rounder told BBC Radio Northampton.

“We’re trying to stay in the present, taking one step at a time and we’re actually talking about one ball at a time – and will try to back it up against Durham on Friday.”

Birmingham looked on course to end the Steelbacks’ 100% record when they were 94-1 in the 10th over, chasing 185 for victory, but George Scrimshaw removed Tom Latham and Sam Hain in quick succession before Willey grabbed the prize wicket of Dan Mousley and took a stunning catch in the deep to dismiss Ed Barnard.

“He [Scrimshaw] is a very talented bowler – he’s got some great attributes and to have him out there bowling with the breeze behind him on a pitch which offered him assistance was a game-changer for us and I’m delighted to see him doing well,” added Willey.

“With the combinations we’ve got at the death it allows me to use a couple of overs through the middle where we need to make something happen and call on my experience for a couple of tight overs – and to get Mousley out was a key moment.”