In a Vitality Blast 2025 match between Northamptonshire and Worcestershire, fast bowler Ben Sanderson delivered a devastating spell that left the opposition reeling. Northamptonshire secured a 31-run victory thanks to Sanderson's exceptional bowling performance.
Sports News: Northamptonshire dominated Worcestershire in a one-sided Vitality Blast match. Both Northamptonshire's batsmen and bowlers displayed outstanding performances. Batting first, they posted a b total of 190 runs. In response, Worcestershire could only manage 159 runs. The star of the victory was fast bowler Ben Sanderson, who took a hat-trick en route to a remarkable 6-wicket haul, dismantling the opposition.
Bowling that changed the game: 4 overs, 8 runs, 6 wickets
Ben Sanderson bowled just 4 overs, conceding only 8 runs while taking 6 wickets. This bowling spell was not only the most devastating of the tournament but also shattered Worcestershire's hopes of victory. His line and length were impeccable, leaving the batsmen unable to decipher his deliveries. Remarkably, he achieved a hat-trick in his final over, taking three wickets in three consecutive balls.
Entering the 19th over of Worcestershire's innings, Sanderson dismissed Tom Heely with his first ball. The second ball resulted in a single, followed by a dot ball. He then took three wickets with the next three balls to complete his hat-trick.
- Fourth ball: Ben Dwarshuis out,
- Fifth ball: Adam Finch dismissed,
- Sixth ball: Jacob Duffy sent back to the pavilion, completing Sanderson's sixth wicket.
- Taking four wickets in one over, he completely swung the momentum in his team's favor.
Northamptonshire's impressive batting performance
Earlier, winning the toss and electing to bat, Northamptonshire amassed 190 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Ricardo Vasconcelos played a crucial half-century, scoring 59 runs. David Willey and Ravi Bopara contributed explosive 36 runs each, propelling the team to a substantial total. All three batsmen adopted an aggressive approach, hitting big shots and maintaining a consistent scoring rate.
Worcestershire's innings crumbles
Chasing the target, Worcestershire had a poor start, losing wickets at regular intervals. Gareth Roderick top-scored with 29 runs, while Adam Hose managed 27. The remaining batsmen couldn't withstand Sanderson's swing bowling and accurate yorkers, resulting in the team being bowled out for 159 runs.
This victory solidified Northamptonshire's position in the tournament. While Sanderson's bowling was exceptional, the batsmen also provided excellent support. Captain David Willey said after the match that all players contributed, but Sanderson's performance was unbelievable; "We don't see bowling like that every day." Ben Sanderson's devastating spell will be long remembered in Vitality Blast history.
