Levi back to boost Steelbacks as McCullum and Morgan miss out for Middlesex

Richard Levi returns to the Steelbacks' squad for the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final against Middlesex at the County Ground tonight (Tuesday, 6.30pm).
Richard Levi has returned to the Steelbacks' squad for the clash with Middlesex (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)Richard Levi has returned to the Steelbacks' squad for the clash with Middlesex (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)
Richard Levi has returned to the Steelbacks' squad for the clash with Middlesex (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

It is a huge boost for David Ripley’s men, with the South African opener so dangerous in the shortened format of the game.

Levi, who has scored 255 runs in eight innings in this season’s 20-over competition, has been missing since injuring his shoulder in the defeat at Yorkshire Vikings on July 22.

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But he is now fit enough to resume his explosive partnership with Adam Rossington at the top of the Steelbacks order.

Seekkuge Prasanna is also available for Northants, whose only absentee is Olly Stone, who has missed the majority of the season with a knee injury.

Middlesex have been dealt a blow in their build-up to the match with the news that New Zealand star Brendan McCullum will not be able to play any part in the last eight tie.

McCullum has been nursing a back injury for the majority of the summer and there will be no chances taken with his fitness.

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England one-day and T20 captain Eoin Morgan will also miss out as he continues to recover from a chipped bone in his finger.

Middlesex pace ace James Fuller is another sidelined, with a side strain.

Steelbacks squad: Wakely (c), Duckett, Cobb, Levi, Rossington, White, Crook, Prasanna, Kleinveldt, Gleeson, Azharullah, Keogh, Ashraf, Sanderson.

Middlesex squad: Malan (c), Bailey, Eskinazi, Franklin, Gubbins, Higgins, Harris, Podmore, Murtagh, Roland-Jones, Rayner, Sowter, Simpson, Stirling.