Willey and McSweeney unstoppable as Northants dismantle Gloucestershire

David Willey and Nathan McSweeney registered half centuries to steer in-form Northamptonshire to a comprehensive eight-wicket Vitality Blast victory over Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.

Australian star McSweeney posted a chanceless 72 from 40 deliveries, hitting two sixes and eight fours, while the hard-hitting Willey smashed a 32-ball 73, including seven sixes and two fours as the Midlanders chased down a target of 185 with 16 balls to spare.

Gloucestershire won the toss, batted first and ran up a competitive total of 184 for 2, Dawid Malan top-scoring with an unbeaten 91 from 55 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes on his first appearance of the season. But it was not enough to threaten Northamptonshire's hundred per cent record and a second defeat in five days leaves second-placed Gloucestershire trailing the Central and West Group leaders by 12 points.

Debut after injury: Malan made his long-awaited Gloucestershire debut, having recovered from a calf strain. Powerplay: Scored all around the wicket as Gloucestershire reached 44/1 in the powerplay, with D’Arcy Short the wicket to fall.Mid-innings tempo: On a worn pitch where boundaries were scarce, Northants used spinners Louis Kimber and Calvin Harrison to slow things. Liam Scott countered with a four and six, and Malan pulled Harrison over square leg to lift the rate.

Gloucs were 87/1 at halfway. Malan’s fifty: Reached an “enterprising” 32-ball half-century by hoisting George Scrimshaw over mid-wicket. Repeated the shot next over off Willey as the partnership passed 50.Breakthrough & squeeze: Harrison broke the 79-run stand by having Scott caught at deep mid-wicket for 33 in the 13th. Northants then tightened things, conceding only 21 in the next 4 overs.

Late flourish: Miles Hammond 33_ and Malan added an unbroken 61. Malan finished 9 short of a century, guiding Gloucestershire to 164/9 — the total Northants later chased down thanks to Lynn, McSweeney and Sales’ 5-fer.

But McSweeney maintained his smooth progress, going to a faultless half century from 27 balls with his sixth four, while Willey came out with all guns blazing, the England all-rounder bludgeoning a 24-ball 50, bringing up that landmark with a sizzling straight six off Ahmed as the home side wilted under fire.