Five-wicket win for the Falcons

Derbyshire Falcons earned their second Vitality Blast win of the season, as economical bowling and steady knocks from Leus du Plooy (48 not out) and Matt Critchley (44) led them to a five-wicket victory over Northants Steelbacks.

A disciplined Derbyshire performance with the ball restricted Northamptonshire to 141 for 8 and the Falcons, with George Scrimshaw’s (1-13) economy rate of 3.25 over four overs only bettered by five players in Derbyshire’s history.

Ricardo Vasconcelos scored 38 and Graeme White made 37 from 24 balls but Northamptonshire were restricted by George Scrimshaw, 1 for 13 from four overs and Conor McKerr, 2 for 23.

After losing seven for 17 in their previous game, the Steelbacks ran into more problems, with both openers dismissed in the first two overs.

On a slow, used pitch, Richard Levi chipped Logan van Beek to midwicket and Adam Rossington was caught behind pulling Conor McKerr.

Vasconcelos and Wayne Parnell repaired the damage until the Falcons struck again in the final over of the powerplay.

Parnell lost his middle stump aiming a big drive at Finn Hudson-Prentice and Rob Keogh steered the next ball to slip.

The slide continued when Saif Zaib missed a sweep at Critchley and although Mohammed Naib dispatched Critchley for two sixes, the Falcons quickly reasserted control.

Naib was caught at deep midwicket attempting a third and Vasconcelos skied a pull at George Scrimshaw to reduce Northamptonshire to 81 for 7 in the 14th over.

White and Tom Taylor got their side to a respectable total by taking 41 from the last three overs with both batsmen driving Critchley for six before White hit Hudson-Prentice for three consecutive fours.

Northamptonshire had to take early wickets and Ben Sanderson delivered by bowling Harry Came in the second over.

Billy Godleman drove Nabi for six before being run out four balls later but the pressure was eased when 17 came from Nathan Buck’s first over.

Parnell responded by removing Luis Reece and conceding only two from the next over but du Plooy provided momentum by pulling Sanderson for six to leave the Falcons needing 62 off the last 10 overs.

Critchley took Derbyshire to within 14 of victory before he skied Taylor to mid on and although Hudson-Prentice was run out, du Plooy sealed victory in style with his third six.