Calvin Harrison’s four-wicket haul dismantled Lancashire’s chase as Northamptonshire clinched their first County Championship win.
Ben Sanderson’s explosive 65 set the stage. Follow BRG365 for in-depth analysis.
Harrison Seals Dramatic Turnaround
Calvin Harrison’s match-winning spell of 4-32 turned the tide for Northamptonshire as they secured a 70-run victory over Lancashire in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two at Wantage Road .
The legspinner, on loan from Nottinghamshire, dismantled Lancashire’s middle order after Ben Sanderson’s explosive 65 off 28 balls—a career-best half-century and the second-fastest in Northants’ red-ball history—had already tilted momentum in the hosts’ favor.
Key Moments & Performances
Sanderson’s late-innings heroics, including a ninth-wicket partnership of 81 with Liam Guthrie, lifted Northants to 273 in their second innings, setting Lancashire a target of 236 .
The visitors began promisingly at 116-2, but Harrison’s twin strikes—dismissing Marcus Harris (43) and Josh Bohannon (41)—sparked a collapse of seven wickets for 28 runs .
His accuracy and variation, particularly through the gate to bowl Luke Wells, proved decisive.
Earlier, Sanderson’s blitzkrieg included a flurry of boundaries and a six, lifting Northants’ lead beyond 200. Saif Zaib’s patient 50 and Harrison’s cameo of three fours had laid the groundwork before Lancashire’s bowlers struck.
Strategic Shifts & Turning Points
Northants’ decision to introduce Harrison before tea disrupted Lancashire’s rhythm.
The legspinner’s ability to extract turn and flight trapped set batters, while Harry Conway’s dismissal of Matty Hurst added to the pressure . Lancashire’s top order faltered early, with Keaton Jennings and George Bell falling cheaply, leaving Harris and Bohannon to rebuild.
Post-Match Reactions
Sanderson praised Harrison’s composure: “Cal controls the game. His wickets were crucial when we needed momentum” .
Lancashire captain Jennings admitted his side’s failures: “We squandered opportunities. Every player must reflect on their role”.
With the win, Northants climb to mid-table, while Lancashire remain winless at the bottom .
Harrison’s all-round impact—both with the bat (31 runs) and ball—underscored his value to the Steelbacks’ promotion push.
