WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids lost their unbeaten record as they went down by 130 runs to Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road.

The Rapids became the last side to taste defeat in Group A of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, coming off second-best against the Steelbacks after winning their opening three games against Middlesex, Durham and Derbyshire. 

They will now look to quickly bounce back in Wednesday’s clash with Kent at Visit Worcestershire New Road. 

At one stage, the hosts looked set to score over 300 against the Rapids, but Worcestershire fought back well from the ominous 215-1 position they found themselves in. 

Spinner Fateh Singh continued his encouraging form with 3-51 from his 10-over spell and the wickets of George Bartlett, Saif Zaib and James Sales.
Northamptonshire lost five wickets in scoring 80 runs between overs 41 and 50 and closed on 295-6.

But Worcestershire lost their top three in the batting order during the first 
10 over powerplay to leave them with a mountain to climb.

Tom Taylor hit an aggressive half-century against his former county.

Ed Pollock was bowled for nine, while Rob Jones then fell for six. 

He completed his half-century off just 38 balls with two sixes and eight fours. 

But we was out for 57 after the drinks break for an LBW.

Worcestershire One Day Cup skipper Jake Libby said he felt his side weren't at their best with the bat or ball. 

He added: “They showed us how to play cricket on that wicket if we are being honest but it’s still three wins from four so I don’t want to get too down about it.

“We’ve still got off to a good start in the competition but I just don’t think we were at our best today.

“I thought the surface was tough. I thought there was a little bit in it for the bowlers. They bowled really well.

“We came up against a high-class player in Prithvi Shaw, he is exceptional for this level and got them off to a really good start.

“That was probably the difference with the bat for them and the two openers, Ben Sanderson and Jack White, bowled really well.

“They are two high-class bowlers and it was almost four-day cricket for a large part at the start of our innings.

“We weren’t able to adapt, we weren’t able to keep wickets intact, and I think it was always going to be quite a big score to chase on that wicket.”