Skipper McSweeney satisfied as Steelbacks secure winning start against Bears

With seven of Saturday’s Vitality Blast winning team unavailable after being selected to play in The Hundred, Darren Lehmann turned to members of his squad who have been waiting patiently in the wings for their chance to shine.

And they did just that, as well as a few of the more familiar faces.

Pace bowler Raphy Weatherall took four for 59 as Warwickshire posted 312 for nine in their 50 overs, while there were two wickets apiece for newly-arrived Indian leg-spinner Yuzi Chahal and left-arm seamer Liam Guthrie.

Northants then timed their reply to perfection, getting home at 314 for five with eight balls to spare, with McSweeney hitting 88, George Bartlett a career-best 72 and Saturday’s final hero Ricardo Vasconcelos 64.

It is the first time since 2014 that the County have won their opening One Day Cup game, and it was an impressive performance off the back of the emotion-sapping weekend T20 heroics.

“It's nice to start well in this comp, in particular after the last week we've had,” said skipper McSweeney.

“The challenge from the coach was to be up and about for this game, and I think for the most part we were, but there are definitely areas that we can improve on.

"I think the ability to take nine wickets on a nice batting wicket and really stem their ability to go really hard at the back end was pleasing, and I think we played pretty well with the bat.

"Obviously, we would have liked someone to make 100 probably myself, and I made another error running out Vassy (Vasconcelos).

"So, there is plenty to improve on, but a win's a win, and it's a great start.”

The likes of Rob Keogh, Gus Miller, Aadi Sharma have barely featured for the first team this summer, but they all played their part, and McSweeney he added: “They've all been great, training really hard.

“The beauty about winning competitions, we’ve got seven guys that went up to The Hundred and got picked up.

"That gives opportunity to these guys, and every single one of them put their hand up and did a great job for us.

“Raphy Weatherall ended up with four for 56, which is fantastic.

"It's never easy to take wickets in the middle overs in one-day cricket, and he did a great job for us.

"We've had so many guys come in who haven't had a lot of hits, especially in the first team for a while. So, for them to hit the ground running, we should be full of confidence.

"We still haven't quite nailed it, and we've walked away with the win, which is hopefully good signs ahead."

Quotes courtesy of Jeremy Blackmore