Northants boss Ripley can't wait to feel County Ground '˜buzz'

David Ripley says the Steelbacks can't wait to feel the buzz of this season's first Friday night T20 game at the County Ground.
David Ripley is relishing Northants' first home game in this season's NatWest T20 Blast (picture: Peter Short)David Ripley is relishing Northants' first home game in this season's NatWest T20 Blast (picture: Peter Short)
David Ripley is relishing Northants' first home game in this season's NatWest T20 Blast (picture: Peter Short)

Ripkey’s men, who secured a nail-biting five-wicket win at Leicestershire Foxes in last week’s competition curtain-raiser, return home to face Derbyshire Falcons this week.

Northants had some memorable nights in NatWest T20 Blast matches at the County Ground last season, with big crowds backing them throughout the group stage.

That propelled the Steelbacks into the quarter-finals and they went on to make the Edgbaston showpiece, which they lost to Lancashire Lightning.

And Ripley is now hoping for some more huge home support as Northants look to make it two wins from two in this season’s tournament.

“I can’t wait to get going at home,” Ripley said.

“There’s a good buzz when we play our home games, a nice atmosphere in the ground.

“We hope we can get it somewhere near full and we can entertain them.”

A few Northants fans had made the trip to Grace Road to back Ripley’s men against Leicestershire.

And the head coach said: “We did have one or two fans at Leicester.

“The Leicester fans were in my ear in the dugout, winding me up a bit, so it’s nice to have the last laugh.”