David Willey Spoils Yorkshire's Day, Leads Northants to Victory

David Willey scripted a stunning all-round performance to lead Northamptonshire Steelbacks to a 13-run victory over his former team Yorkshire in a high-octane Vitality Blast 2025 opener at Headingley. The night had records, fireworks, and drama, setting a thrilling tone for the tournament. 🏏 Match Summary Northamptonshire: 237/4 (20 overs) Yorkshire: 224/9 (20 overs) Result: Steelbacks won by 13 runs 💥 Willey’s Revenge Batting: 54 (24 balls, 6x6) Bowling: 3/42 Willey delivered a captain’s knock with a brutal 54 and struck twice in his first over to derail Yorkshire’s chase. His performance was both emphatic and personal, given his departure from Yorkshire in 2022. 🚀 Steelbacks Set Their Record Total Team Total: 237/4 — highest T20 total in Northamptonshire’s history Justin Broad: 67 (32 balls, 5x6) — career-best Vasconcelos: 48 (36 balls) Matthew Breetzke: 36 (20 balls) The innings was laced with 17 sixes, punishing the Yorkshire bowlers, especially Will O’Rourke, who went for 67 in 4 overs on debut. 🔥 Power Partnership Willey & Broad added 85 in just 6 overs Their blitz turned a solid foundation into a towering total, particularly hammering spin and pace alike. 🎯 Yorkshire’s Chase: 9 for 3 in 5 Balls Willey removed Dawid Malan and Will Luxton in successive deliveries Adam Lyth was run out coming back for three Yorkshire were reeling at 9/3, essentially losing the match in a blink ⚡ Yorkshire’s Comeback Attempt James Wharton: 58 Will Sutherland: 58 (30 balls, 4x6 in one over) Wharton & Harry Duke: 81-run partnership in 6 overs Despite the carnage at the top, Yorkshire refused to fold, threatening a record chase with bold hitting and brave intent. 🧠 Key Takeaways Steelbacks showed explosive depth in batting and a killer instinct with the ball. Willey reminded Yorkshire of what they lost — aggression, leadership, and impact. Yorkshire have positives in Sutherland’s all-round promise and Wharton’s composure but will rue their top-order collapse. Northamptonshire 237 for 4 (Broad 67, Willey 54) beat Yorkshire 224 for 9 (Wharton 58, Sutherland 58, Willey 3-42) by 13 runs