The Metro Bank One Day Cup returns to Cumbria on 5 August 2025 when Lancashire Lightning take on the Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Sedbergh School, Sedbergh. It’s the second match of the group stage and is set to start at 11:00 UK time, which is 15:30 Indian Standard Time. The picturesque out‑ground at Sedbergh has hosted only one List‑A match before, making this fixture a rare treat for North West cricket fans. Both sides are eager to improve on disappointing One Day Cup campaigns last year, but their preparations and squad compositions for 2025 paint very different pictures.
Form Guide
Lancashire are coming into the One Day Cup with momentum from both white‑ and red‑ball cricket. They have enjoyed success in the Vitality Blast, sitting second in the North Group with five wins from seven matches and recording back‑to‑back victories over Worcestershire and Derbyshire. In their 50‑over warm‑ups they beat Cheshire in a friendly on 3 August and Gloucestershire on 25 July but suffered a heavy defeat to Glamorgan on 1 August.
- Won two of their last three white‑ball games, beating Cheshire in a friendly and Gloucestershire in the warm‑up.
- Thrashed by Glamorgan by 154 runs in their final warm‑up, highlighting a need for batting.
- After a flying start with six straight wins in the Vitality Blast, they’ve lost their last two matches to Durham and Nottinghamshire.
- Finished second‑bottom in their One Day Cup group in 2024 and sit seventh in the 2025 County Championship standings.
- Several key players are away in The Hundred, so depth will be tested.
Key Players
Lancashire Lightning
- Marcus Harris – The Australian left‑hander has been a rock in red‑ball cricket and will slot into the One Day Cup at No. 3 or 4. CricketWorld notes that he is Lancashire’s “best batter,” having been in fine form this summer.
- George Balderson – A dependable all‑rounder who played every List‑A game last year, Balderson has taken key wickets in Division Two and can contribute handy runs. His seam bowling will be invaluable on a pitch that offers early movement.
- Keaton Jennings – Lancashire’s captain brings experience and calm at the top of the order. He is among the top run‑scorers in matches between these sides with 286 runs and will be keen to provide a solid platform.
Northamptonshire Steelbacks
- George Bartlett – The top‑order batter was Northants’ leading run‑scorer in last year’s competition, amassing 253 runs at 36.14. His ability to build an innings will be crucial with several first‑choice batters missing.
- Yuzvendra Chahal – The surprise overseas signing gives Northants a world‑class spinner. CricketWorld notes that his IPL and international pedigree could have a devastating impact if he‑born opener has been Northants’ standout batter in recent meetings, topping the aggregate run charts between the sides with 319 runs. His aggressive starts can set the tone.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Sedbergh School’s cricket ground is relatively new to List‑A cricket. Only one One Day Cup game has been played here, and statistics from Cricketerstales suggest a high‑scoring surface: the average first‑innings total is 344 runs and the second‑innings average drops to 287. The wicket is generally balanced but slightly favours seam bowlers early, so teams winning the toss might choose to bat first to maximise the best batting conditions.
Early August weather in Sedbergh is typically mild and pleasant. Timeanddate’s forecast for the week shows temperatures around 16–17 °C with sunny or partly cloudy skies and very little rain. This should provide ideal conditions for batting, though breezy conditions could aid swing bowlers.
Lancashire Lightning vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks: Prediction
Both sides have much to prove after disappointing One Day Cup campaigns last season. Lancashire hold the upper hand thanks to their deeper squad, home support and recent white‑ball momentum. With players like Marcus Harris, Keaton Jennings and Liam Livingstone available and bowlers such as George Balderson and Luke Wood exploiting any early movement, the hosts should be able to post a competitive total or chase confidently. Northamptonshire will look to George Bartlett and Ricardo Vasconcelos for runs and hope that Yuzvendra Chahal or Liam Guthrie can make inroads with the ball. However, their recent dip in form and absentees make an upset unlikely. Expect Lancashire to start their One Day Cup campaign with a win.
Dream11 Fantasy Picks
fe source of runs and is likely to bat through the innings.
- George Balderson – An all‑rounder who bowls at the start and end of the innings and contributes valuable middle‑order runs.
- George Bartlett – Northamptonshire’s leading batter from last year’s competition, capable of anchoring the chase.
With a stunning setting at Sedbergh School and both counties hungry for success, this match promises plenty of entertainment. Whether you’re following from the ground or from afar, expect a hard‑fought contest as Lancashire Lightning and Northamptonshire Steelbacks battle for early supremacy in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
- Marcus Harris – Lancashire’s in‑form top‑order batter offers a safe play. If unavailable, left‑arm seamer Liam Guthrie is a capable replacement.
- Strong Vitality Blast form with five wins from seven and a chance to top the North Group.
Northamptonshire have had a roller‑coaster build‑up. They started the Vitality Blast by winning their first six matches but have since lost back‑to‑back games to Durham and Nottinghamshire. Last year they finished second‑bottom of their One Day Cup group and their County Championship form has been equally patchy
