Match Preview | County Championship | Northamptonshire | 2-5 May 2025

Following two strong away performances, picking up 35 points to strengthen their grip on top spot, Leicestershire return to Uptonsteel County Ground on Friday.

The Foxes take on Northamptonshire having defeated Gloucestershire by two wickets inside three days last week to extend their advantage to 13 points at the summit of Division Two.

Northants enter the clash having enjoyed a week’s break, drawing their previous fixture away at Derbyshire. The visitors sit seventh in the division after their opening three matches.

Squad:

Two changes to the squad. Tom Scriven returns from injury and Liam Trevaskis also enters the 13 following successive five-fers for the Seconds.

Leicestershire: Ahmed, Budinger, Cox+, B Green, Handscomb*, Hill, Holland, Hull, Patel, Scriven, Trevaskis, van Beek, Walker.

Last Time We Met:

Northamptonshire took victory in last September’s meeting at The County Ground. The penultimate fixture of 2024, the home side won by 10 wickets chasing 137 on the final day.

It was a memorable match for Sam Wood, who picked up his maiden first-class wickets and maiden fifty, while Scott Currie also recorded his maiden career century after coming in as nightwatchman during Leicestershire’s second innings.

Fox to Watch:

Tom Scriven’s return will be a welcome boost to a side stacked with bowling options of late. The Foxes have operated with a five-strong seam attack in every fixture so far, with Scriven taking nine wickets at 24.44 from his first three matches.

He missed the win at Gloucestershire last time out having sustained an abdominal strain during the draw at Lancashire, a match in which Scriven claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

A handy all-rounder, the 26-year-old holds ability with both bat and ball. Last summer, he averaged 38.5 with the bat from 12 matches, while he picked up 39 Championship wickets at 23.87 in 2023. If can meld the two this week, he could be a thorn in Northants’ side in both disciplines.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Like Scriven, Ben Sanderson’s return is a timely one for his side. The 36-year-old is yet to feature this term but came through the defeat to Leicestershire’s Second XI at Kibworth this week.

He passed 400 first-class wickets at the end of the 2024 campaign, a year in which he snared another 41 poles at an average of 26.73. His new ball threat will have the Foxes’ top order on high alert this week.

Tickets:

With a scorching build-up to the Bank Holiday weekend, there’s no better time to get down to Uptonsteel County Ground and back the table-topping Foxes in the sunshine. Tickets for all four days can be purchased in advance online HERE.

Follow The Action:

If you can’t make it in person, you can follow along live via the live stream on Foxes TV. Stay tuned to the Club’s social media channels for play-by-play updates and reaction throughout the day, as well as post-day reports via the Club’s official website.