Derbyshire Falcons vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks: Visitors should extend winning streak
Derbyshire Falcons face in-form Northamptonshire Steelbacks in Wednesday's T20 Blast North Group fixture at the County Ground in Derby (19:00).
Check out my Derbyshire Falcons vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks predictions below.
Derbyshire Falcons vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publication
Team news
Derbyshire Falcons opener Aneurin Donald should keep his place despite making a duck against Leicestershire on his return from a shoulder injury.
Afghan spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar took two wickets on his county debut against the Foxes and veterans Samit Patel and Wayne Madsen form the Falcons' middle-order engine-room.
Northamptonshire Steelbacks are likely to be missing all-rounder Justin Broad while James Sales is doubtful with a back problem.
Derbyshire Falcons vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Derbyshire Falcons are 6/5 to beat 4/6 visitors Northamptonshire Steelbacks in their first home fixture of the 2025 T20 Blast season.
Falcons openers Caleb Jewell and Aneurin Donald were dismissed for six and nought in last week's defeat to Leicestershire. Derbyshire are 10/11 to have the highest opening partnership on Wednesday with Northants 4/5 and the draw 22/1.
Northamptonshire Steelbacks @ 4/6
There will be no shortage of experience on show at Derby's County Ground, where Derbyshire Falcons are captained by former England all-rounder Samit Patel.
The 40-year-old Patel's team includes Wayne Madsen, 41, and Ross Whiteley, 36, but the hosts may struggle to subdue a Northamptonshire side inspired by ex-England stars David Willey and Ravi Bopara.
The Steelbacks have made a promising start to life under former Australia coach Darren Lehmann and they look worthy favourites on Wednesday.
Northants have showcased their batting power and bowling talent in their first two North Group victories.
They racked up 237-4 in their opening win over Yorkshire before bowling out Leicestershire for 122 in Sunday's success at Wantage Road.
Willey (3-20) and Ben Sanderson (4-15) reduced the Foxes to 39-7 inside the first eight overs and the new-ball aces should cause problems for Derbyshire's top order.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Pat Brown to be Derbyshire Falcons top bowler @ 7/2
Derbyshire fast bowler Pat Brown had a chastening outing against Leicestershire, conceding 47 runs in 2.4 wicketless overs, but he has the quality to bounce back against Northamptonshire.
In 2018, at the age of just 20, Brown was the leading wicket-taker in the T20 Blast, picking up 31 scalps to help Worcestershire lift the trophy for the first time.
He has looked back to his best in the past two seasons of the Twenty 20 competition, taking 24 wickets for Worcestershire in 2023 and 22 in 13 Blast appearances for Derbyshire last summer.
Brown, who toured with England Lions during the winter, claimed three of the five Steelbacks wickets to fall in last season's fixture between these sides in Northampton.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Click the link for all the latest Cricket Odds
Find more Cricket Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights
Share Article
New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.
