400% up to ₹70,000 on 4 Deposits with Reg Code: TOPBK
Northamptonshire vs Birmingham Bears, RLODC, Today Match Prediction
Toss Winner - Northamptonshire won the toss and choose to bowl first
Northamptonshire beat Birmingham Bears by 5 wickets
Can Northamptonshire Steelbacks use the home advantage?
- Steelbacks have lost the last three games against the Bears
- The team chasing the score has won the last four games here
- The average first innings last season here was 278
Birmingham Bears to win
| Tournament: | England Domestic One-Day Cup 2026 |
| Format: | odi |
| Venue: | Cinch County Ground, Northampton, United Kingdom, United Kingdom |
| Toss Prediction: | To Bowl |
| Weather: | 19.3°C|Partly cloudy |
Play with best betting app for India users! Get TheTopBookies App and gain access to all safe and secure Indian gambling mobile applications.
NOR vs WRW Match Prediction & Analysis
We are all set for the start of the England Domestic One-Day Cup 2026. Hosts Northamptonshire Steelbacks will face a tough challenge as they take on the Birmingham Bears in the 2nd game. Northamptonshire Steelbacks struggled with consistency last season and aim for a strong start. The Birmingham Bears also had their struggles and need to overcome them with a good start.
Birmingham Bears have enjoyed a good record against the Northamptonshire Steelbacks. They have won the last three games between the two teams, which will make them confident heading into the game. The Steelbacks know the conditions well at this venue, and it will be interesting to see if they can take advantage of it.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
NOR
W
W
W
L
L
NOR
153/2 in 17.4 8.66
152/10 in 20.0 7.6
WRW
W
W
W
L
W
WRW
203/5 in 20.0 10.15
173/6 in 20.0 8.65
HEAD TO HEAD
Last 10 Matches
Show More Show Less
147/4 in 66.0
CC_2023
Warwickshire won by 2 wickets
176/8 in 52.4
137/10 in 18.5
VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023
107/9 in 20.0
TEAMS PREVIEW
Northamptonshire Preview
Nathan McSweeney and his men have a tough task at hand. Last season was bad for the team, as they never got their campaign off the ground. The bowling attack had a miserable season, barely troubling opponents. They have a poor record against the Bears, and McSweeney must infuse the squad with more energy to start the tournament with a win.
Ricardo Vasconcelos had a poor season in 2025, and the team expects him to deliver a strong start with Luke Procter. James Sales was the only consistent batter last season with 268 runs and must do well in the middle order with George Bartlett and David Willey. Stuart van der Merwe, Lewis McManus, and Rob Keogh must do well in the lower middle order.
Luke Procter and Dominic Leech must strike early in the game, and the team needs early wickets from them to be in a strong position. Yuzvendra Chahal is the most experienced bowler in the team and must do well in the middle overs with Stuart van der Merwe. The team expects a strong showing from Rob Keog and David Willey in the supporting role.
Interesting Stats
- Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 6 wickets last season at an average of 50.50
- James Sales made 268 runs last season at an average of 53.60
Northamptonshire Predicted Playing XI:
Nathan McSweeney (c), James Sales, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Rob Keogh, David Willey, Lewis McManus (wk), George Bartlett, Luke Procter, Dominic Leech, Stuart van der Merwe, Yuzvendra Chahal
Northamptonshire Actual Playing XI:
George Bartlett, Liam Guthrie, Rob Keogh, Gus Miller, Aadi Sharma, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Lewis McManus, Luke Procter, Nathan McSweeney, Raphael Weatherall, Yuzvendra Chahal
Birmingham Bears Preview
The Bears struggled with their consistency last season and had to make a league-stage exit. Ed Barnard and his players will have that fresh in their minds and hope to make a better start in the season. They have enjoyed a good record against the Steelbacks in the last few seasons, which will make them confident. Barnard expects a strong show from his players to set the tone for the rest of the season.
Ed Barnard was the leading scorer last season with 358 runs, and the team expects him to deliver a good start with Robert Yates. They have a strong middle order and expect runs from Zen Malik, Alex Davies, and Hamza Shaikh. The lower middle order struggled in 2025, and the team needs contributions from Kai Smith and Vaansh Jani.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Ed Barnard must strike early in the game to put the team in a strong position, as the Steelbacks have a strong batting lineup. Tazeem Chaudry Ali picked up 18 wickets last season and has an important role in the middle overs alongside Michael Booth. Zen Malik and Robert Yates must deliver in the supporting roles.
Interesting Stats
- Tazeem Chaudry Ali picked up 18 wickets last season at an average of 20.11
- Ed Barnard made 358 runs last season at an average of 51.14
Birmingham Bears Predicted Playing XI:
Ed Barnard (c), Robert Yates, Hamza Shaikh, Alex Davies, Vaansh Jani, Kai Smith (wk), Tazeem Chaudry Ali, Oliver Hannon-Dalby, Zen Malik, Ethan Bamber, Michael Booth
Birmingham Bears Actual Playing XI:
Alex Davies, Kai Smith, Vansh Jani, Theo Wylie, Sam Hain, Robert Yates, Tazeem Ali, Ethan Bamber, Oliver Hannon Dalby, George Garton, Jacob Garlick
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather Conditions
The skies over Northampton would have slight cloud cover, which might assist the bowlers. The temperature will be around 24°C at the start of the game, and the humidity will be 56%. The surface will be good to bat on at the start before the wicket starts slowing in the second innings.
NOR vs WRW Pitch Report
County Ground, Northampton, has a small outfield, and batsmen have always enjoyed batting on this surface. Fast bowlers who swing the ball do well at this venue in the early overs of the game. Spinners need to use their variations as the venue's small size makes life difficult. The average first innings score was 278 last season, and the team batting first must aim for 320.
Toss: To Bowl
In the last four games, the team chasing the score has won. It is a difficult wicket for batsmen at the start of the game, and the conditions ease as the game progresses. Hence, the side that wins the toss in this game would like to take advantage of the conditions and bowl first.
NOR vs WRW
Winning Prediction
Northamptonshire Steelbacks have struggled against the Birmingham Bears in the last few seasons, and it will be fresh on their minds. They need a strong show from the top order to have a chance in this game. The Birmingham Bears have a more balanced unit and greater firepower at the top of their batting order. We expect a close game, but the Birmingham Bears have a slight edge.
Birmingham Bears to win
1xBet
400% up to ₹70,000 on 4 Deposits with Reg Code: TOPBK