Despite winning a thriller at home against Glamorgan on Friday night, results elsewhere mean the Bears are now unable to progress to the Quarter Finals.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the 2:30pm start…
Team news
Following the reoccurrence of a slight back problem in Friday’s win against Glamorgan, skipper Ed Barnard will miss the clash with Northants.
Beau Webster will captain a much-changed Bears squad in his absence in what will be his final game before leaving the Bears.
Bears squad: Taz Ali, Alex Davies, George Garton, Nathan Gilchrist, Richard Gleeson, Sam Hain, Olly Hannon-Dalby, Vansh Jani, Zen Malik, Dan Mousley, Hamza Shaikh, Kai Smith, Jordan Thompson, Beau Webster, Chris Woakes
Current form
The Bears are playing their best cricket of the Blast having won four of their last five games, and came through a pulsating fixture against Glamorgan on Friday to make sure of their latest victory.
After restricting the visitors to 188 from their 20 overs, Rob Yates struck a majestic 72 off 40 balls, before Dan Mousley hit back-to-back sixes in the final over to see the Bears over the line with one ball remaining.
Northamptonshire won their opening eight games of the Blast to all-but guarantee their place in the Quarter Finals and are currently top of the Central & West Group. They’ve since lost two of their last three though, with both defeats coming against title holders Somerset.
Previous meeting
The two teams met at the end of May, with Northants winning a high-scoring game at Edgbaston, thanks largely to a sensational 115 not out from Chris Lynn.
On that occasion the Bears batted first, with Beau Webster continuing his fine T20 form with a 56-ball 97 as the Bears reached 208 for seven.
In reply, Lynn was at his absolute best, powering Northants to victory with four balls remaining. His 115 came off just 59 balls.
Players to watch
Dan Mousley
Against Glamorgan, the Bears needed 13 off the last over. When Jimmy Neesham conceded just two from the first four balls, it looked like he’d done enough to win it for the visitors. A no-ball six followed the very next ball, before Mousley launched the free hit into the stands to seal a dramatic victory.
Beau Webster
Webster’s 97 against Northants when the last teams met was the catalyst for an outstanding couple of months for the big-hitting Australian. He has scored over 100 more runs than anyone else in this year’s Blast.
James Sales (Northamptonshire)
There are several players that have impressed for Northants this year, with James Sales top of that list. The right arm pace bowler has taken 20 wickets in the campaign, just three short of the competitions leading wicket-taker Hassan Ali. Sales’ wickets have come at an average of 16.65.
