Ripley wants Northants home quarter

Northamptonshire head coach David Ripley has said his side hope to top their group to earn a home quarter-final in the FLt20.

Wins in both of their final two games - against Glamorgan and Worcestershire - would secure that achievement.

"Being at home is going to make a big difference to us," Ripley told BBC Radio Northampton.

"We haven't lost at home, we know the dimensions, we know the pitch. It's something we are definitely targeting."

Northants recovered from Saturday's defeat at Warwickshire by beating Worcestershire at Wantage Road on Sunday to further tighten their grip on the Midlands, Wales & West Group.

But Ripley's men had to rely on the standout bowling performances of David Willey (3-13) and Mohammad Azharullah (2-22) to make up for the 137-6 they scored with the bat.

"We're still having individual contributions which are papering over the cracks," said Ripley.

"But Twenty20 cricket is a little bit hit and miss, there is an element of that for most teams.

"It's something we need to improve. If we're going to be competitive on quarter-final or finals day, we're going to have to bat a little bit better as a unit."

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