Northants 2026 One Day Cup Preview

By Jeremy Blackmore (The Steeler)

2025 Review

League Position: 9th Group B

Top Runscorer: James Sales - 268 runs

Top Wicket Taker: Liam Guthrie - 9 wickets

Top Points Scorer: James Sales - 473 points

Northamptonshire disappointed in last year’s One Day Cup, finishing ninth in their group. No senior player had a standout campaign and with qualification looking unlikely, men's head coach Darren Lehmann took the opportunity to give young players valuable experience.

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Northamptonshire 2026 One Day Cup Preview - Fantasy Cricket Banker, Wildcard & Young Gun

The Steelbacks are on a high after winning the Vitality Blast. Moulded into a disciplined, winning side by Lehmann they will now look to add another trophy to their cabinet. They lose seven players to The Hundred but still boast a core of experienced performers alongside that group of youngsters all looking to press their case. Nathan McSweeney brings considerable leadership experience, being just the second skipper to lift all three trophies in Australian domestic cricket. Hugely experienced Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returns for his third stint with the Steelbacks, with 121 One Day International wickets to his name.

Banker: Ricardo Vasconcelos

Opener Ricardo Vasconcelos scored a brilliant 88 in the Vitality Blast Final earning him the player-of-the-match award. He has been one of Northamptonshire’s most consistent batters in all formats this season.

Wildcard: Raphy Weatherall

Raphy Weatherall, 21, is one of the most exciting and promising young fast bowlers on the circuit, but back injuries have limited his involvement over the past two seasons. Having returned fully fit this year, he might have expected to feature prominently in the Vitality Blast, only for James Sales' emergence as a genuine T20 force to limit his chances. The One Day Cup now provides Weatherall with an excellent opportunity to stake his claim.

Young Gun: Aadi Sharma

Top-order batter Aadi Sharma, 20, came through the club’s talent pathway and played his age-group cricket in Buckinghamshire. Given an extended run in the side last season, Sharma top scored with 82 in the defeat to Kent in the One Day Cup. He recently smashed 90 off 39 balls as the Second XI stormed to a dominant 10 wicket win against Gloucestershire on their way to Second XI Finals Day.

Northants One Day Cup Squad

Northants One Day Cup Squad

Potential Starting XI:

1. R Vasconcelos

2. G Miller

3. Aadi Sharma

4. N McSweeney

5. R Keogh

6. L McManus

7. G Bartlett

8. S van der Merwe

9. D Leech

10. R Weatherall

11. Y Chahal