County Championship Division Two 2025: Northamptonshire vs Lancashire – Match Preview

Date: 09 May 2025
Time: 11:00 GMT (Kick-off at 15:30 local time)
Venue: County Ground, Northampton
Format: First-Class (4-day match)
Series: County Championship Division Two

Match Overview

The 19th match of the County Championship Division Two 2025 will see Northamptonshire host Lancashire at the County Ground in Northampton. The match, scheduled to begin on Friday, 09 May, promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams as they look to climb the league table. With the weather forecast indicating sunny skies and a 10% chance of a washout, the pitch is expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball.

Team Form and Recent Performance

Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire have had a challenging start to the 2025 season, with two losses and two draws in their first four matches. Their recent game against Lancashire in early May ended in a draw, but they will be eager to secure a win at home to boost their position in the standings.

Key Player:

• Luke Procter, the captain, is the leading run-scorer for Northants with 281 runs in six innings this season.
• Saif Zaib has emerged as a vital all-rounder, contributing both with the bat and the ball.

Predicted XI:

1. Ricardo Vasconcelos
2. Luke Procter (C)
3. George Bartlett
4. James Sales
5. Saif Zaib (Allrounder)
6. Rob Keogh
7. Lewis McManus (Wicketkeeper)
8. Justin Broad (Allrounder)
9. Calvin Harrison
10. Ben Sanderson
11. Harry Conway

Lancashire

Lancashire, on the other hand, have been inconsistent this season, with four consecutive draws in their opening four games. However, they hold a 63% chance of winning in this match, making them the favorites. Their recent head-to-head record against Northamptonshire has been in their favor, with two wins in the last five encounters.

Key Players:

• Marcus Harris, Lancashire’s overseas batter, tops the Division Two run charts with 585 runs in eight innings.
• Tom Bailey has been the standout bowler for Lancashire, with consistent performances in both red and white-ball formats.

Predicted XI:

1. Keaton Jennings (C)
2. George Bell
3. Josh Bohannon
4. Marcus Harris
5. Matthew Hurst (Wicketkeeper)
6. Luke Wells (Allrounder)
7. George Balderson (Allrounder)
8. Tom Aspinwall
9. Tom Bailey
10. Will Williams
11. Ollie Sutton

Head-to-Head Record

• 2024 (11 August): Lancashire won by an innings and 26 runs
• 2024 (19 July): Lancashire won by 6 wickets
• 2023 (03 September): Northamptonshire won by 4 wickets
• 2022 (17 June): Northamptonshire won by 7 wickets
• 2021 (25 June): Northamptonshire won by 7 wickets

Lancashire have a clear edge in the recent H2H, having won 2 of the last 5 matches.

Weather and Pitch Conditions

• Weather Forecast: Sunny with clear skies
• Temperature: 18°C
• Chance of Washout: Low (10%)
• Pitch Expectations: The County Ground pitch typically offers a fair balance between bat and ball. The overcast conditions could play into the hands of spinners later in the match.

Match Prediction

Score Prediction:

• Northamptonshire: 322
• Lancashire: 292

Winner Prediction:

• Lancashire are the strong favorites to win this match. Their superior form, strong batting lineup led by Marcus Harris, and a more consistent bowling attack give them the edge.

Betting Odds (Parimatch)

• Northamptonshire to win: 2.18
• Lancashire to win: 1.58

Key Betting Tips

• Lancashire to score low before first dismissal – Historically, Lancashire’s opening partnership has struggled.
• Marcus Harris to be Lancashire’s best batter – His form is in excellent shape.
• Tom Bailey to be Lancashire’s best bowler – A key performer in the Lancashire attack.
• Saif Zaib to be Northamptonshire’s best performer – A reliable all-rounder in tight contests.

Conclusion

With Lancashire as the favorites and Northamptonshire looking to break their winless run, this match is set to be an exciting four-day affair. The County Ground’s balanced conditions should allow both teams to play their natural game, but it is Lancashire’s consistency and depth that give them the advantage ahead of the match.

Final Prediction: Lancashire by 8 wickets
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