Saif Zaib

David Willey makes his way off for the field as an England player for final time following the World Cup win over Pakistan at Eden Gardens on Saturday (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

FEATURE: Coach Sadler insists skipper David Willey still has big ambitions

Luke Wells claimed five wickets in just 50 minutes to seal Lancashire's win at Northants on Wednesday (Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Wells claims career-best as Northants collapse to another innings defeat

Northants batter Saif Zaib will resume the final day on 37 not out (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northants staring down the barrel of another defeat as Lancashire dominate

Northants seam bowler Ben Sanderson (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Sanderson admits One Day Cup exit is 'a big disappointment' for the Steelbacks

Luke Wells (photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Luke impresses as Northants are hit by Lancashire fightback

Steelbacks batter Saif Zaib has been selected for The Hundred by Northern Superchargers (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saif Zaib to miss Steelbacks' One Day Cup campaign after Hundred call-up

Saif Zaib top-scored for Northamptonshire in their Championship clash with Middlesex in Northwood (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Sadler praises Northants' application on tough opening day at Middlesex

Ben Sanderson was the pick of the Steelbacks bowlers in the 2023 Vitality Blast campaign (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Steelbacks' Vitality Blast campaign in numbers

Saif Zaib will resume the final day against Kent unbeaten on 43 (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northants up against it as they face fight to avoid big loss against Kent

The Steelbacks celebrate a wicket in the win over Leicestershire Foxes (Picture: Peter Short)

Lynn and Zaib star as Steelbacks hammer rock-bottom Foxes

Steelbacks top-scorer Emilio Gay is bowled by Zaman Khan (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Steelbacks fall short as they suffer Blast defeat at the hands of Falcons

Tom Taylor took a career-best five for 28 for Steelbacks

Taylor takes five as Steelbacks thrash Yorkshire to keep Blast dreams alive

Ben Sanderson

Sanderson shines as Steelbacks secure big win against Outlaws

Chris Lynn is bowled by Dan Mousley (Picture: Peter Short)

Steelbacks in a spin again as they collapse to defeat against Bears

David Willey did some damage with the bat

Steelbacks up and running as they secure welcome win against the Falcons

Chris Lynn was dismissed off the third ball of the match (Picture: Peter Short)

Head coach Sadler offers up no excuses as Steelbacks are thrashed by Durham
John Sadler admitted the Steelbacks were comprehensively outplayed in all departments as they suffered a 10-wicket Vitality Blast thrashing at the hands of Durham on Friday night.

Northants head coach John Sadler

Northants bid to bounce back in Blast after sobering run of Championship results

Saif Zaib

Zaib shows class but Northants slip to another innings defeat

Saif Zaib was the only player to reach double figures in Northants' first innings

Unwanted Ageas Bowl record for Northants as they are bowled out for just 56

Chris Lynn was a big hit with the Steelbacks last summer

David Willey and Chris Lynn ready to get their T20 eye in with Northants seconds

Dane Paterson claimed five for 16 from 10 overs

72 all out - Northants humbled again as Notts cruise to victory

Tom Taylor celebrates claiming the wicket of Ben Duckett (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Batting coach Ben Smith hopeful Northants can rally against Notts

Saif Zaib will resume day two unbeaten on 22 against Nottinghamshire

Vasconcelos and Zaib rebuild for Northants but rain ruins day one of Notts clash

It was a gloomy old day in Taunton where Northants made 137 for four on day one of their match with Somerset (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Batting coach Smith praises Vasconcelos effort on 'a difficult day for batting'

Saif Zaib is playing for the Northants second team in their current clash with Loughborough UCCE

Sadler wants Northants players to have 'fresh minds' for return at Somerset

Saif Zaib celebrates scoring his century against Surrey last Sepember

Saif Zaib’s aiming to have a big impact on all fronts for Northamptonshire

Northants skipper Luke Procter hit an unbeaten 28 in the rain-hit-friendly with Worcestershire

Luke Procter and Saif Zaib lead recovery for Northants before rain wins the day
Heavy rain brought a premature halt to Northants' opening pre-season friendly against Worcestershire at Wantage Road on Friday.

Saif Zaib scored his first Royal London One Day Cup century for Northants in 2022

‘Big success story’ Saif Zaib is only going to get better and better

Saif Zaib is targeting trophies with Northants

Saif setting sights on securing Steelbacks silverware

Saif Zaib celebrates after scoring his century for Northants against Surrey at the County Ground in September

Saif Zaib puts pen to paper on new deal with Northamptonshire

Derbyshire's Luis Reece hits out on his way to a century against Northants on Tuesday

Steelbacks thrashed as One Day Cup campaign ends with Derbyshire defeat

Emilio Gay (left) and Ricardo Vasconcelos both hit centuries for the Steelbacks in their One Day Cup defeat at Lancashire

Gay and Vasconcelos tons not enough as Lancashire end Steelbacks' One Day Cup ho...

Ricardo Vasconcelos was delighted to reach a century as he returned to form

Vasconcelos keen to keep the good times coming after his superb Steelbacks centu...

Ricardo Vasconcelos

Ricardo returns to form as Steelbacks grab big win against Glamorgan

Saif Zaib

Centurion Saif played through the pain during Steelbacks win

Saif Zaib takes a quick run during the T20 Tour match between the Steelbacks and and India at the County Ground. Pictures by David Rogers/Getty Images

India defeat Steelbacks in an electric County Ground atmosphere

Another big crowd is expected at the County Ground on Friday night

Sell-out crowd can inspire Steelbacks to Vikings victory

Adam Hose hammers a six for Birmingham Bears against the Steelbacks

Hose and Benjamin blitz sees Bears to Blast win over Steelbacks

Saif Zaib was in great form for the Steelbacks in their loss at Derby on Tuesday, hitting 92 (Picture: Peter Short)

Steelbacks aiming to hit top spot with Blast win over Bears

Saif Zaib hits out on his way to a brilliant 92 for the Steelbacks (Picture: Peter Short)

Zaib efforts not enough as Steelbacks suffer Blast defeat at Falcons

Northamptonshire head coach John Sadler

Three changes as Northants head to champions Warwickshire

Emilio Gay acknowledges the applause after reaching his half-century in the clash with Yorkshire at the County Ground

Northants up against it as Yorkshire take control

Lewis McManus

McManus makes Northamptonshire bow on rain-affected day at Wantage Road

Saif Zaib has signed a new deal at Northamptonshire

Zaib targeting success with Northamptonshire after penning new deal

Saif Zaib has signed a new deal at Northants

Saif Zaib signs new deal at Northamptonshire

Luke Procter top-scored with 23 as Northants were bowled out for 45 at Essex

45 ALL OUT! Northants embarrassed as they are thrashed by Essex inside four sess...

Saif Zaib top-scored for Northants, hitting 37 in their first innings against Surrey

800-up for veteran Clarke as Surrey take control of clash with Northants

Saif Zaib

Steelbacks fail to finish with a flourish as Foxes grab win

Northants Steelbacks batsman Emilio Gay

Emilio Gay enjoys 'great day' as Steelbacks see off Bedfordshire in One Day Cup ...

Saif Zaib top scored for Northants with 50

County clash looks to be heading for draw as day two in Cardiff is hit by more r...

Tom Taylor celebrates one of his three wickets with Richard Levi (PIctures: Peter Short)

World Cup winner Moeen stars as Rapids prove too strong for Steelbacks

Rob Keogh

Keogh happy as Northants secure Sussex success

Rob Keogh made 60 not out as Northants claimed a seven-wicket win at Sussex

Northants up to third as Keogh and Zaib seal superb win at Sussex

Northants all-rounder Saif Zaib scored his maiden first-class century against Sussex

Northants coach Ripley full of pride as patience pays off for Zaib

Gareth Berg (left and Ben Sanderson celebrate their five-wicket hauls

Five-star bowling shows from Berg and Sanderson put Northants in control against...