Heartbreak for Northants as rain ruins their quarter-final chances

The Steelbacks needed to beat Yorkshire to secure a place in the last eight but morning drizzle delayed the start and although the toss took place, Yorkshire winning and choosing to bowl, persistent rain returned throughout the afternoon to ensure that was the only action.

Each side took a point, which saw Northants move level with fourth-placed Durham with nine points and four wins apiece but an inferior net run-rate saw the northern side progress.

It is the second time in three years David Ripley’s side have been denied a place in the knock-out stages of the one-day competition on run-rate, having suffered the same fate in the 40-over competition in 2013.

And Ripley said: “It’s very frustrating.

“After the highs of winning our last three matches in this competition, we’re playing some good cricket and just thought we were coming into it at the right time.

“I guess our poor start (Northants lost their first three games) has cost us ultimately but I really fancied us to win today and when you don’t get the chance you feel a bit deprived.

“Out on run-rate, it’s a tough way to go out and takes us back a couple of years where we got knocked out of the 40-over competition on run-rate, but we did go on to win the t20 so maybe there’s some similarities.”