Cricket Prediction | DUR vs NOR | Vitality Blast Men 2025 | North Group | July 18 – Who’s in Better Form Coming Into This Match?

DUR vs NOR Match Analysis

The much-anticipated North Group clash between Durham and Northamptonshire is set to take place at Chester-le-Street on July 18, 2025, as part of the Vitality Blast Men’s tournament. The match is scheduled for an evening start, with teams looking to gain crucial points in the group stage.

Durham enters this game with a balanced squad boasting a mix of experience and youthful energy. Known for their competitive spirit, Durham aims to capitalize on home conditions to secure a vital victory. 

Northamptonshire come into this contest having displayed excellent form in recent matches, particularly with their powerful batting line-up. Led by the dynamic David Willey, Northants have the firepower and bowling options to trouble any side. 

Durham vs Northamptonshire Team Preview & Squads

Durham

DUR benefits from Alex Lees’s composed leadership, combining effective batting and intelligent field positioning. He brings experience and steady guidance to the team, having captained in previous Blast seasons. 

The backbone of Durham’s batting is Lees, with Ben Stokes and David Bedingham adding depth and strength.The middle order features versatile players like Scott Borthwick and Colin Ackermann, who can accelerate or consolidate as required. 

DUR boasts a potent bowling attack featuring the pace of Mark Wood and Ben Raine, alongside the skillful left-arm seam of Wayne Parnell. Their spin options are covered by Callum Parkinson and Ashton Turner, providing variety. 

Durham faced a narrow defeat against Lancashire at Manchester on July 13, 2025. Posting 155/7, they set a modest target, but the bowling unit fought hard. The tight contest saw Lancashire reach 156/7 with 8 balls remaining to secure the win. 

Durham Squad

Durham

Wayne Parnell, Ben Stokes, Alex Lees (C), Neil Wagner, Scott Borthwick, Ashton Turner, Brandon Glover, David Bedingham, Mark Wood, Paul Coughlin, Ben Raine, Graham Clark, Oliver George Robinson (wk), Nathan Sowter, Luke Robinson, Callum Parkinson, Colin Ackermann, Brydon Carse, Matthew Kuhnemann, Matthew Potts, George Drissell, Bas de Leede, Michael Jones, Luke Doneathy, Tomas Mackintosh, Oliver Gibson, Jonathan Bushnell, Harry Crawshaw, Stanley McAlindon, Mitchell Killeen, Ben McKinney, Daniel Hogg, Haydon Mustard, James Minto.

Northamptonshire

David Willey leads NOR with a blend of aggression and tactical acumen. As a key all-rounder, Willey’s on-field decisions often energize the team. The challenges of limited-overs formats have honed his leadership under pressure.

NOR boasts a deep and explosive batting order featuring Prithvi Shaw, George Bartlett, and Matthew Breetzke. The addition of Ravi Bopara adds much-needed experience to the middle order. Their batsmen are capable of aggressive starts and sustaining pressure through the innings.

Their bowling arsenal includes seamers like Ben Sanderson and Ollie Sale, supported by spinners Simon Kerrigan and Graeme White. Bowling-wise, David Willey makes a significant impact. This varied attack can adapt to different pitch conditions and match situations effectively.

A powerful 240/6 from Northamptonshire led to their dominance over the Birmingham Bears on July 13, 2025. Their bowlers then restricted the Bears to 176, sealing a comprehensive 64-run victory. This emphatic win highlights their current strong form heading into this clash.

Northamptonshire Squad

Northamptonshire

Ravi Bopara, George Bartlett, David Willey (C), Matthew Breetzke, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Luke Procter, Rob Keogh, Gareth Berg, Hassan Azad, Simon Kerrigan, Graeme White, Saif Zaib, Ben Sanderson, George Scrimshaw, Ollie Sale, Lewis McManus (wk), Sam Whiteman, Jack White, Prithvi Shaw, Emilio Gay, Harry Gouldstone, Justin Broad, Gus Miller, Freddie Heldreich, James Sales, Alex Russell, Michael Finan, George E Gowler, George Weldon, Raphael Weatherall, Yadvinder Singh.

DUR vs NOR Outfield Report

Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street

The pitch at Chester-le-Street is traditionally known for its balanced nature, offering something for both batsmen and bowlers. The surface tends to have a consistent bounce, aiding stroke play while providing enough assistance for seamers early on. Spinners might find some turn later in the game as the pitch wears.

Weather conditions for the match day are expected to be mild with temperatures around 22°C. There is little chance of rain, promising an uninterrupted game. Light winds will prevail, ensuring favorable conditions for both teams.

Historically, the pitch has produced competitive T20 scores ranging from around 140 in a bowling-friendly scenario to 200-plus when batsmen get going. The team batting first typically aims for a target above 170 to put pressure on the chasing side.

Durham vs Northamptonshire Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In their last five encounters, Northamptonshire hold a slight advantage with three wins to Durham’s two. Matches between these sides have often been closely contested, promising an exciting battle in this upcoming fixture.

DUR vs NOR Prediction

According to cricket analysts Northamptonshire have a 53% chance of Winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.