A length ball outside off presents a perfect opportunity and Willey seizes it with a controlled, middled drive. The ball races away for six over long on, a gorgeous way to punctuate the over. Northamptonshire have moved to 151 for 2 with that boundary.
No movement as the bowler delivers a full-length ball outside off. Willey attempts a flick but mistimes it, the ball trickling away for two runs to deep backward square leg.
Over 17. 15 runs. Bowler: Marchant de Lange. Northamptonshire Men: 2-139(rr 8.18) A slower ball pitched down leg, Willey glances it off the inside edge for a quick single to backward square leg. That brings the total to 15 in the over. Northamptonshire now need 14 runs from 18 balls with eight wickets in hand, chasing at a required rate of 4.7.
A short, no movement delivery just outside off stump. Lewis McManus slices a top-edged hook that races over fine leg for six! That's the first six of the innings and McManus has now struck two boundaries this over.
Short and straight on off stump, this no-movement delivery is met with a well-timed pull from the batter. He plays it controlled and cuts it through deep square leg for a boundary. Lewis McManus gets off the mark with that elegant four.
No movement on this full-toss outside off, David Willey confidently drives it along the ground, racing away to the deep cover boundary but a quick misfield sees them sneak through for two.
Over 16. 11 runs. Bowler: Matt Taylor. Northamptonshire Men: 2-124(rr 7.75) Taylor delivers a short slower ball outside off, and Willey pulls it low and controlled towards deep mid-wicket, managing a quick single. Northamptonshire need 29 runs from 24 balls with eight wickets in hand as the chase intensifies.
A short, no movement delivery outside off, Willey rocks back and drives a controlled pull through the on-side for a couple. David Willey moves to thirty off 25 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Slower ball tossed short just outside off, and Willey drives it firmly into the pull region, racing through for a sharp two as the fielder at long on recovers quickly.
A short outside off delivery, the slower ball tempts David Willey into a cut shot, but he only manages an inside edge back towards the keeper for no run.
A back of a length delivery angling outside off, and Willey meets it with a well-timed, controlled drive. The ball races elegantly through extra cover for four.
Over 15. 5 runs. Bowler: D'Arcy Short. Northamptonshire Men: 2-113(rr 7.53) A length slider on middle stump tempts McSweeney to sweep but he misses, the ball striking his pad. He's given out leg before wicket after the umpire's decision. McSweeney departs for 28 from 20. Northamptonshire need 40 runs from 30 balls with 8 wickets in hand, the required rate at 8.0.
Short sends down a length ball on middle stump, and Willey attempts a flick, slightly mis-timed but still manages to steer it down to mid wicket for a comfortable single.
D'Arcy Short offers a length stock ball just outside off. David Willey meets it with a well-timed drive, sending it racing through the cover region for a quick two runs despite a misfield at deep cover.
Over 14. 11 runs. Bowler: Marchant de Lange. Northamptonshire Men: 1-108(rr 7.71) A yorker aimed at middle stump, the batter attempts a drive but only manages to splice it, sneaking a single down the ground. Northamptonshire require 45 runs from 36 balls with nine wickets in hand; the chase continues.
A short, no movement delivery outside off, McSweeney goes for the pull but miscues it. The ball flies uncontrolled towards deep backward square leg and races away for four thanks to a misfield. Northamptonshire move to 102 for 1.
A full delivery down the leg side from the bowler, Nathan McSweeney attempts a gentle glance but misses, and the umpire signals a wide. The wicketkeeper fields it cleanly.
