Northants vs Bears isn’t just another match in the Vitality Blast North Group anymore—it’s a certified thrill ride. And on June 11, 2025, at Wantage Road, Ben Sanderson brought the house down with a late-game masterclass, securing the Steelbacks’ sixth straight win. Yes, six. And if you’re counting wickets, Sanderson now has 17 in this year’s competition—three of them coming in four balls in the penultimate over. Legendary stuff.
Let’s break down how Northamptonshire pulled off this 10-run heist and why the Bears, despite a spirited charge, were left clawing at shadows.
Sanderson’s Four-Ball Mayhem – A Death Bowling Clinic
When you’re defending 24 off 12 with Moeen Ali at the crease, most bowlers pray. Sanderson, apparently, plans hat-tricks.
The Steelbacks’ dependable pacer shattered Bears’ momentum by removing Garton, Moeen (yes, that Moeen), and Hassan Ali in rapid succession. Moeen’s lbw dismissal sucked the air out of the Bears’ chase faster than you can say “Vitality Blast upset.”
For bettors, this was a dream if you had Northants on the spread. (At 188bet, odds on Steelbacks extending their winning streak were closing in at 2.10—a tidy return for those who trusted Sanderson’s death-bowling wizardry.)
Broad and Breetzke Light the Fuse
Before the Sanderson Show, it was the Broad & Breetzke Bash.
- Justin Broad blasted 60 off 35 balls.
- Matthew Breetzke added a classy 53 off 36—his first 50 of the season.
Their partnership of 59 in just six overs powered Northants to a robust 184 for 6. They weren’t just scoring—they were sculpting chaos, especially against Moeen and Danny Briggs, who looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.
Captain David Willey chipped in with 34 and made sure the engine kept revving, even as wickets fell late. A few quick blows from Zaib and McManus kept the scoreboard ticking, and the Steelbacks wrapped with a defendable total.
Bears Bite Back… Until They Didn’t
Dan Mousley was electric—his 68 off 42 made Northants sweat. Tom Latham supported with 34, and Moeen looked ominous on 31. With 53 needed off the last five overs, the Bears were favorites. Briefly.
Willey got Mousley with a clever bouncer, Scrimshaw bowled tight lines, and then came the Sanderson finale that turned the chase into rubble.
It wasn’t just skill—it was clutch cricket, with Northants squeezing every drop of pressure out of the dying overs. And let’s not forget Willey’s no-look, running-backwards, over-the-shoulder catch to remove Barnard. Pure theatre.
Vital Stats at a Glance
| Key Performers | Stat Line |
|---|---|
| Justin Broad | 60 (35) |
| Matthew Breetzke | 53 (36) |
| Ben Sanderson | 3 for 31 (incl. hat-trick) |
| Dan Mousley | 68 (42) |
| Hassan Ali | 3 for 42 |
FAQs: People Also Ask
Northamptonshire Steelbacks won by 10 runs against Birmingham Bears.
Ben Sanderson took a sensational hat-trick, dismissing Garton, Moeen Ali, and Hassan Ali.
Sanderson has now taken 17 wickets, making him one of the tournament’s top bowlers.
Justin Broad (60) and Matthew Breetzke (53) were the standout batters.
Northants were priced around 2.10 for the win, making this a solid value bet.
Moeen scored 31 and bowled decently but was dismissed at a crucial moment during the chase.
Conclusion: Steelbacks Are No Longer Underdogs
With six straight wins, Northants are the Vitality Blast team to fear—and maybe, just maybe, bet on. Sanderson’s composure under pressure, a fire-breathing top order, and Willey’s never-say-die leadership are giving the Steelbacks the edge.
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