WOR vs NOR T20 Blast Preview – 24 May 2026

23rd May 2026

Worcestershire host Northamptonshire in the T20 Blast on Saturday 24 May, with both sides looking to build on opening-day wins. First ball at 19:00 IST (14:30 BST).

Both counties sit on four points from one game apiece – WOR seventh and NOR ninth in the North Group – so this is still about early momentum rather than must-win territory. But the head-to-head tells a clear story, and the Statz Cricket model leans one way too.

Form and Head-to-Head

Northamptonshire have been the dominant side in this fixture recently. In seven meetings since 2022, NOR have won four (excluding one abandonment). The most recent clash came just two days ago on 22 May – NOR chased down WOR’s 152/9 with six wickets in hand, reaching 153/4 comfortably. That is a pattern Worcestershire need to break.

WOR’s batting in that game leaned heavily on Sikandar Raza, while NOR’s chase was clinical. For Worcestershire, the concern is whether they can find enough firepower beyond Raza and the top order to post competitive totals against a Northants side that knows how to time a run chase.

Statz Projections

The Statz Cricket projections with WOR batting first give Northamptonshire a narrow edge – NOR 49.7% win probability versus WOR 48.3%. The projected first innings total is 167.1, with a match total of 323.2. Model confidence sits at 0.7, so there is reasonable conviction behind those numbers.

The betting market agrees with the lean. Bet365 have NOR at 1.76 (WOR 1.96) and Ladbrokes at 1.80 (WOR 2.00). That slight favouritism for the visitors tracks with the H2H record and the model output – nothing dramatic, but enough to suggest NOR are the right side of this one.

Key Players – Worcestershire

Sikandar Raza is the standout. He tops the Statz Dream11 projections at 89.3 fantasy points and already has 25 runs from his opening game. The Zimbabwean all-rounder brings T20 franchise pedigree and Statz Cricket rates him the most impactful player in this fixture.

Tom Taylor projects second-highest for WOR at 85.6 Dream11 points. He picked up a wicket in the opening game and could be key with the ball if Northants’ middle order falters.

Mohammed led the run-scoring for WOR in their opener with 42, and Kashif Ali chipped in 28. Worcestershire need those two to fire again at the top to set a platform.

Key Players – Northamptonshire

David Willey captains NOR and projects at 82.4 Dream11 points. The left-arm seamer took a wicket against Glamorgan and his experience in T20 cricket makes him the heartbeat of this side – with bat and ball.

George Scrimshaw is the early purple cap contender for Northants with three wickets from the opening match. He projects at 81.2 Dream11 points and looks in sharp form. WOR’s batters will need a plan for him in the powerplay and at the death.

Stuart Broad hit 38 off the Glamorgan attack – top-scoring for NOR – while Harrison contributed 20 runs and two wickets. That depth of contribution across the squad is why Northants look dangerous early in the tournament.

Verdict

Northamptonshire deserve slight favouritism here. The H2H record is strongly in their favour, the Statz model gives them the edge, and the market agrees. WOR have the individual brilliance of Raza, but NOR’s balance across the squad – Scrimshaw’s early-season wicket-taking, Willey’s all-round class, and Broad’s batting punch – makes them the more rounded outfit. At 1.76 with bet365, NOR look about right.

Check out the full fixture breakdown on the Statz Cricket match page and build your own picks with the Statz Cricket Bet Builder.