Steelbacks star Willey desperate to shine in Sussex showdown

But the Northants Steelbacks star is hopeful he will be fit and firing for the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final at Sussex Sharks on Wednesday.

Willey suffered an ankle ligament injury in a win at Worcestershire in June and spent three weeks on the sidelines.

He returned to action in a T20 win against Yorkshire last month and has since been busy playing his part in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

But, still hampered by ankle and leg trouble, he had been failing to produce his best form in that competition before smashing a superb 91 in Monday’s win against Somerset.

And Willey is desperate to hit the heights again in time for the crucial last-eight clash at Sussex.

“I’ve got a few little niggles which mean I’m wheeling myself out there at the minute,” Willey said.

“I’m struggling to bowl but hopefully I’ll be fit to play in the Sussex quarter-final.

“I can’t get through my action as I can’t push off my left leg.

“I’ve got a bit of a knee problem and in the field I’m having a few problems with my ankle, the combination of the two making it a tough time in 50 overs.

“I’ve not been contributing with the bat either so every day’s been a bit of a struggle but hopefully I can get fit and do my bit in the quarter-final.”

Northants’ T20 quarter-final at Sussex starts at 6.30pm on Wednesday and will be shown live on the Sky Sports Ashes channel.