Northamptonshire Steelbacks hope South African spinner Tabriaz Shamsi will continue to mystify opposition batsmen as they look to build on a strong start to their NatWest T20 Blast campaign against the Notts Outlaws today.
Victories at Durham and Birmingham, followed by a two-run Duckworth/Lewis victory over Leicestershire last night, has taken them up to second in the North Group table behind the Foxes with seven points from five games.
If they return from Trent Bridge this afternoon (2.30pm start) with a victory, their bid for a knock-out quarter-final place in their attempt to defend the title they won in this competition last year will be firmly on course.
Once again, the Steelbacks have benefited from a canny overseas signing.
The return of Sri Lankan all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna has been delayed by injury, but Proteas international Shamsi has filled the vacancy with his left-arm chinaman, taking a combined 4-92 in 14 overs so far.
The wrist-spinner was retained for both this weekend’s matches, with Prasanna still unfit, and is likely to figure at Trent Bridge.
“He’s a class act and he’s great with the lads,” said Steelbacks batsman Rob Keogh. "He’s been great entertainment too – he’s got loads of card tricks that keep us amused on bus journeys.
“But his bowling has been brilliant in the last two games especially. He might not be as well-known as guys like (Shahid) Afridi, but he’s come in and done a great job for us.”
Head coach David Ripley has been equally impressed and added: “I’ve been really pleased for him. There’s always expectation coming in as the overseas player, but he’s shown a lot of desire and it’s been what we thought we’d get – a bit of mystery.
“He bowls with good pace, spins it both ways and hopefully he’ll continue to make a good contribution.”
Keogh has also been in good form in the competition to date, finishing off run chases at Durham in the final over and at Birmingham, where the game came down to the last ball.
The Dunstable-born player’s unbeaten 20 from 13 balls against the Jets and 41 not out in 24 balls at Edgbaston – together with his winning runs in last season’s T20 final – have earned him the moniker of 'the finisher’.
“Ben Duckett has given me that nickname and hopefully it can continue,” said Keogh.
“We’ll go into the next block of games with high hopes now. We’ve got three wins under our belts and if we can add to that against the Outlaws, we’ll be on a roll towards another top four finish.”
Trent Bridge remains a graveyard for Northants - they have not won a game in any format on the ground since 2003, but did remove their T20 hoodoo against Notts with a victory in last season's semi-final.
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