Ben Sanderson's seven-for seals Northamptonshire's first Championship win in 2026

Northamptonshire crushed Worcestershire by an innings and 177 runs in Division Two of the County Championship.

Sanderson dominates with career-best figures Ben Sanderson produced a breathtaking late spell to dismantle Worcestershire’s batting and secure Northamptonshire’s first County Championship victory of the season. The left-arm seamer claimed seven wickets for just 31 runs, finishing with match figures of 11-109 – his best in first-class cricket. Worcestershire’s second innings crumbled from 88-2 to 114 all out as Sanderson struck six times in 29 deliveries. His performance included a dramatic collapse that sealed the win with a full day remaining. ## Northamptonshire’s massive first-innings total Northamptonshire declared at 597-7 after a monumental batting display highlighted by a record seventh-wicket partnership. James Sales and Lewis McManus added 192 runs for the seventh wicket, surpassing the county’s previous best against Worcestershire. Sales, unbeaten on 146, recorded his second Championship century in as many games. McManus contributed a vital 104 before Sanderson took control in the second innings. ## Late drama in pursuit of bonus points Northamptonshire’s chase for a fourth batting bonus point required 34 runs in 31 balls but fell just short. George Bartlett and Sales pushed the hosts close, with Bartlett smashing the first ball of the final over for six before falling lbw next delivery. Tom Taylor’s cunning variations in that over denied Northamptonshire the extra point, though Worcestershire managed to add a bonus of their own. Bartlett’s aggression brought 54 runs before his dismissal. ## McManus and Sales build monumental stand Lewis McManus started hesitantly, edging multiple deliveries off the outside edge without reward during a nine-over boundary drought. His innings transformed after lunch, beginning with a crisp back-foot punch for four off Matthew Waite. A powerful pull over the same bowler followed shortly after, bringing up his half-century rapidly. McManus then accelerated further, sweeping Ethan Brookes for six to reach his first triple-digit score in first-class cricket. ## Spin and pace exploited by batters Brett D’Oliveira’s spin was targeted effectively, with McManus depositing him for six before Sales capitalized with three fours in the next over. Ethan Brookes’ medium pace was similarly dispatched through square cuts and sweeps, with McManus reaching his century in just 50 deliveries after lunch. Sales meanwhile maintained a steady flow of boundaries, flicking half-volleys off Taylor and Finch to guide Northamptonshire past 500. Both batters remained calm under pressure, steering the side to a commanding total. ## Worcestershire’s resistance fades quickly Worcestershire’s response began disastrously when Jake Libby was trapped lbw by Sanderson in the fifth ball of their second innings. Gareth Roderick, despite anchoring the first innings with 164 not out, found no solace in the second, offering only a single outside edge that looped to slip. Adam Hose supported briefly with 33, combining for fifty runs with Roderick, but Sanderson returned to shatter the partnership by bowling Hose. Sanderson then trapped Brookes and Waite leg before wicket in quick succession. ## Sanderson completes the rout Sanderson wrapped up Worcestershire’s innings by dismissing Roderick for 33 with a sharp inswinger that shattered the stumps. He followed with the wickets of Taylor and Beyers Swanepoel, the latter caught at short midwicket off a return drive. Luke Procter contributed by removing D’Oliveira for a second-ball duck, capping a dominant team performance. Sales claimed the final wicket, trapping Hannon-Dalby lbw to complete the innings victory. ## Match summary and points Northamptonshire claimed 22 points from the victory, while Worcestershire collected four. The win marked Northamptonshire’s first Championship success of the season and a statement performance at home. Worcestershire’s batting line-up, despite individual brilliance from Roderick, was undone by Sanderson’s relentless accuracy and collective bowling. The match concluded with Northamptonshire triumphant by an innings and 177 runs.