NORTHANTS TWENTY/20: Town expect a tough game against a team they thrashed at the weekend

Rushton were thrashed by nine wickets by the city side in a Northants Premier Division fixture and travel to Bretton Gate for a first round tie in the Northants Twenty/20 Cup tonight (June 14, 6pm).

But Town skipper David Clarke is not taking anything for granted. He can still remember Rushton’s last-ball victory in a thrilling game in this competition last season.

“Saturday’s game won’t mean anything tonight,” Clarke said. “Rushton didn’t bat well as a team, whereas we bowled superbly, but they are a still a side packed with good players.

“They knocked us out last year in a great game and I expect another close match tonight.”

Fast bowler Jamie Smith, one of the stars of Saturday’s success, is the only notable absentee tonight, but Town have confidence in Saturday second-teamer Richard Kendall who is something of a Twenty/20 specialist.

Town: D. Clarke, A. Akhtar, L. Bruce, A. Butt, J. Dawborn, T. Young, R. Kendall, C. Milner, M. Danyaal, D. Sayer, M. Howard.