Nor vs Der: Bopara's 84 Leads Northants To Victory By 6 Runs

In a nail-biting Vitality Blast Nor vs Der match, Northamptonshire Steelbacks (Nor) defeated Derbyshire Falcons (Der) by six runs, with veteran Ravi Bopara scoring an unbeaten 84. The seasoned all-rounder displayed his class in adversity, outshining a brilliant 83* from Samit Patel in a high-scoring thriller.

Bopara Powers Northants to 194 Despite Early Collapse

Reduced to 15 for 2 early on, Northants were struggling at 112 for 5. But Bopara’s calculated but explosive 84 from 46 balls, including five sixes, propelled them to a fighting 194/6.

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Key features of Northamptonshire’s innings:

Mohammad Ghazanfar, making his Derbyshire debut, struck twice in the second over, getting rid of Vasconcelos and Broad. David Willey (contributed with some massive blows) put on a crucial 75-run partnership with Bopara before getting out for 40.

The Steelbacks plundered 56 runs in the final three overs, including three sixes off Zak Chappell by Bopara. Lewis McManus contributed some late power with two sixes off Aitchison.

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Ghazanfar Shines Early on Debut

Afghanistan’s Mohammad Ghazanfar also impressed Northants with an early 2 for 30 and provoked Derbyshire’s early collapse. His variations and control kept Derbyshire on their toes at crucial stages of the match.

Reply of Derbyshire: Patel and Jewell Spearhead Gallant Chase

Chasing 195, Derbyshire were off to a bad start at 38/3 in the powerplay, Willey sending two back and Sanderson dismissing Wayne Madsen on his 200th Derby outing.

But then Caleb Jewell (71 off 44) and Samit Patel (83 off 50)* revived Derbyshire:

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The pair built over 100 runs, rebuilding with aggression and poise. Patel hit several sixes, including one off Pope and two successive ones off Procter and Scrimshaw. Jewell also hit two huge sixes off Scrimshaw in the 16th over, closing the gap considerably.

Final Overs: Sanderson Steadies Nerve as Nor Steal Thriller

With 41 needed off 18 balls, Derbyshire were comfortably in the hunt. Patel’s late flourish reduced the equation to 15 from the last over, but Ben Sanderson remained composed, serving a precision last over to help Northants achieve their third win of the competition.