Steelbacks at full strength for clash with the Jets

Northamptonshire Steelbacks have a full squad to pick from when they start their NatWest T20 Blast campaign at Durham Jets tonight.
David WilleyDavid Willey
David Willey

Long-term absentee Graeme White is included for what could be his first game of the season after suffering a stress fracture in his foot.

But further good news comes in the shape of Alex Wakely, Josh Cobb and David Willey who have all been passed fit to play.

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Wakely and Cobb both took blows to the hand during the LV= County Championship draw with Derbyshire this week while Willey was hampered in that game with a groin problem.

However, all of them are able to take their place in tonight’s 14-man squad.

Steelbacks head coach David Ripley said: “We’re all good to go.

“The three doubts from the Derbyshire game are okay to play and Richard Levi, who missed that match, played in our warm-up game yesterday so he is in too.

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“There are a few of them who are kind of putting their hands up to play when they are not 100 per cent.

“Obviously we would have liked better preparation for them but, although it’s not ideal, we are at full strength.

“They are big players who are experienced in this format so it is good to have them all available.

“We’ve got a lot of options, a lot of firepower and now it is just a case of putting it all together.

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“The result against Derbyshire has also given us a bit of a boost.

“They are completely different formats, obviously, but in terms of the dressing-room all the lads are supporting those who battled so hard to keep us unbeaten this season.

“Performances like that do help and breed confidence.”