Lehmann delighted as Broad returns to action for Northants Steelbacks

The 25-year-old has become one of the County's key performers in all formats over the past 18 months, but he has endured a frustrating start to the 2026 campaign.

All-rounder Broad picked up a back injury in pre-season, and that has left him unable to bowl and meant he was left out of the opening six Rothesay County Championship matches.

But he was back out in the middle on Friday night as the Steelbacks secured a thrilling three-run win over Glamorgan in their opening Vitality Blast encounter.

Broad's 38 from 25 balls proved to be crucial in Northants posting what turned out to be a winning total of 165 for eight despite Dan Douthwaite's heroic 51 not out from 31 balls, and Lehmann was very happy to see him back in action.

"Justin played well, and I am really pleased he is back playing, for himself more than anybody else," said the Australian

"It has been a tough road for him and he still has some problems with his back, and he might not be able to bowl for a while still.

"But it is good to see him back playing some cricket and enjoying himself.

"He has a smile on his face which is great, because it has been a tough few months for him."

Broad will have a big role to play again on Sunday as the Steelbacks head to New Road to take on Worcestershire Rapids in the Blast (start 2.30pm).

Northants are aiming to make it two from two in the Central & West Group, but so are the hosts after they secured an 18-run win against Leicestershire Foxes at Grace Road on Friday.

"Sunday is going to be tough, and this competition is really tight, full stop," said Lehmann.

"We haven't played in this group before, we have played Worcestershire and Warwickshire, but we haven't played Glamorgan and my Lord that Douthwaite hits a big ball.

"I haven't seen that, and it was big hitting, so we have got away with one there.

"There are quality sides throughout, and we just have to try and get on a roll."

Lehmann was satisfied with the win on Friday, but he was unhappy with the Steelbacks' batting performance.

"We under clubbed with the bat, but I think both sides bowled really well," said the head coach.

"Fazalhaq Farooqi, their overseas bowler, was excellent and we didn't adjust well enough.

"We didn't have any batters get in, so we were probably 15 short as I think it was a 180/185 wicket."

The Steelbacks will be boosted for the trip to New Road with the news that Saif Zaib is available for selection after completing concussion protocols after he took a blow to head last weekend.

Worcestershire will hand a debut to former Steelbacks all-rounder Sikandar Raza, while another ex-Northants man Tom Taylor is also set to feature.

Steelbacks squad: David Willey (c), George Bartlett, Justin Broad, Calvin Harrison, Louis Kimber, Chris Lynn, Lewis McManus (wk), Nathan McSweeney, Luke Procter, James Sales, Ben Sanderson, George Scrimshaw, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Raphy Weatherall, Saif Zaib

Worcestershire squad: Sikandar Raza, Jake Libby, Matthew Waite, Gareth Roderic (wk), Tom Taylor, Henry Cullen, Brett D'Oliveira (c), Isaac Mohammed, Usama Mir, Jack Home, Kashif Ali, Adam Hose, Adam Finch, Ben Allison, Ethan Brookes