Derbyshire’s first home Royal London One-Day Cup game of the season sees the hosts entertain Northamptonshire in the 59th clash between the two sides.
Heritage Officer, David Griffin, looks at the statistical background to the game.
The current playing record shows 27 wins for Derbyshire, with 17 defeats, one tied game, and a high-proportion of 13 matches declared either ‘no result ‘or abandoned.
The first encounter was way back in 1964 when Northants won a 60-over Gillette Cup match at Wantage Road and their most recent was in 2016 when the hosts again triumphed in a Royal London Cup game despite Ben Slater’s magnificent 148 not out, the highest List A score for Derbyshire against a first-class county.
Two of the most celebrated games in Derbyshire’s history have been against Northamptonshire. The first, in 1981, at Lord’s, saw Derbyshire secure their first trophy in 45 years when they won the Nat West Trophy with the scores level by virtue of losing fewer wickets. Derbyshire’s side contained some legendary names including Bob Taylor, Peter Kirsten, John Wright, Mike Hendrick, Kim Barnett and captain, Barry Wood.
The second was at Derby in 1993 when the home side met a strong Northants side featuring England international players, Rob Bailey, Allan Lamb, Mal Loye, David Capel and Paul Taylor, plus the great West Indian, Curtley Ambrose in the Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final.
However, Derbyshire’s side included Barnett, Bowler, Morris, Adams, Cork, Krikken, Warner and Malcolm, and their combined firepower ensured a comfortable 8 wicket win. Derbyshire subsequently won the final at Lord’s against Lancashire.
Derbyshire players have scored 11 List A hundreds against Northamptonshire – more than against any other county – although, surprisingly, no one player has scored more than one century. In 1997, however, both Chris Adams and Kim Barnett scored hundreds in the same innings in a comprehensive 144-run victory at Derby. Derbyshire’s score of 324-7 in this game is their highest innings total against Northants.
Four bowlers have taken 5 wickets in an innings in matches between these two sides, Peter Kirsten and Colin Tunnicliffe in 1979 and 1981 respectively; Phil Russell took 6-10 at Buxton in 1976, and Devon Malcolm recorded Derbyshire’s second best analysis in this form of cricket with 7-35 at Derby in 1997.
Supporters can save 20% by purchasing their Royal London One-Day Cup matchday tickets in advance of the day of the game. Buy online, over the phone by calling 01332 388 101 or in person at The 3aaa County Ground.
Northants Steelbacks – Sunday 30 April – BUY
Notts Outlaws – Tuesday 2 May – BUY
Warwickshire – Wednesday 10 May – BUY
Worcestershire – Tuesday 16 May – BUY
