Alex Wakely, the Northamptonshire captain, hailed his teams apparent weaknesses - their small squad and financial worries - as key factors in his sides success in the NatWest T20 Blast.Wakely led the side to their second T20 trophy in four years at Edgbaston on Saturday, overcoming a Nottinghamshire side containing nine international players in the semi-final and a Durham side boosted by the return of Ben Stokes and Mark Wood in the final.But while Northants small squad has, at times this season, seen their coach phoning around the counties for loan players ahead of games in order to be able to name a competitive team, it has also helped create a close-knit team spirit and sense of confidence in a dressing room that knows it need not fear for places. Crucially, in a format where role definition is so important, it has also given Northants players clarity and confidence in what is exacted of them and what they can expect of their team-mates.The difference was highlighted in the semi-final. While Nottinghamshire arrived at Edgbaston with a choice of three overseas players (only two could play) and having decided to leave out batsman Greg Smith, a regular in the qualifying games, in place of England opener Alex Hales, Northants had just one overseas player and committed to the team that had helped them reach Finals Day. Hales was subsequently bowled for a duck while Stuart Broad, having his first T20 bowl of the campaign, sent down only two overs.While it was Northants first victory over Nottinghamshire in any format since 2006, Wakely suggested that not facing such selection dilemmas might have been a factor in the result.A lot of the reason weve been successful over years is that weve played pretty much the same team throughout the competition, Wakeley said. You look at Notts they chopped and changed their side and it doesnt always work.Greg Smith for instance for Notts he was one of the best players all year and then hes not playing. I dont agree with it, but it is the way it is.We dont have that problem and thats a massive reason why weve come out here and done what weve done.Our small squad means we dont look over our shoulders. When someone does well, we are always enjoying it. At bigger counties, there is always someone looking over their shoulder thinking that could be me. We dont have that.The continuity in the dressing room helps. Weve played pretty much the same team all the way through the competition for the last three years. We dont want to be a feeder club. Going forward, theres a two or three year plan to keep our best players.While Northants have not always been in the news for the right reasons of late - their financial troubles have been well chronicled - Wakely insisted the dressing room culture was the best he had experienced. Indeed, it seems the us against the world attitude has helped forge a spirit within the squad that proved so important on finals day when Northants twice found themselves three wickets down within the first 14 balls of their innings.Theres a lot of off-field stuff written that we have to try and ignore, Wakely said. People on our backs, hammering us down, calling us overweight, all that kind of stuff.But we ignore it. That dressing room is the best Ive played with. I couldnt be more proud. I love this club to bits. Ive been here since I was 13 and things keep getting better and better. Laurie Evans came in [on-loan from Warwickshire recently] and said it was the most enjoyable dressing room he played in.Its pretty simple: I believe that, if you have a happy changing room, you perform.They were words backed by Saturdays Man of the Match, Josh Cobb. Cobb, who made a sparkling 80 in the final, also won the Man of the Match award for his bowling in the 2011 final (bowling a few long-hops as he modestly put it) while representing Leicestershire, but admitted he was enjoying his cricket much more with Northants. As a result he has rejected approaches from other counties - Derbyshire are believed to have been especially keen - and signed a new three-year deal.I wasnt massively enjoying my cricket at Leicester, Cobb said. I had a few tough seasons. But Ive come here and they had an exceptional white-ball side, but more than anything Ive just really enjoying my cricket. The team spirit is exceptional and Ive been here two years and Ive played in three out of a possible four quarter-finals and played in two T20 finals in two years. Im really enjoying it and, ultimately, thats why you play the game.Such was Cobbs enthusiasm for the cause that he delayed knee surgery for several weeks to help Northants in their Royal London quarter-final and at T20 Finals Day.This is the last time youll see me on the field this season, he said. I have been struggling with my knee. But I always believed that wed be playing in a final and thats the reason Ive taken the pain killers and decided to battle through.cheap jerseys from china . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. wholesale jerseys china . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. https://www.chinajerseysreplica.us/ . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. cheap china jerseys . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. fake jerseys china . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night.Claudio Ranieri believes Leicester Citys shock title triumph has restored his reputation in the minds of his critics ahead of an emotional return to former club Chelsea this Sunday.The 64-year-olds appointment last July was heavily criticised by pundits and former players alike, but the Italians side have since undergone an extraordinary transformation from relegation favourites to Premier League champions.Sacked at Chelsea by owner Roman Abramovich in 2004 after failing to deliver the title and replaced by Jose Mourinho, Ranieri insisted he didnt covet acclaim from his former employers following his achievements with Leicester. Now I have won the Premier League, maybe everyone looks more positively at what I did, Ranieri said Friday ahead of Leicesters match against last seasons Premier League champions.It changed not my mind but maybe other minds. I was so happy before because I know very well how I work and what I achieve before, he added.It is not important for to me to have credit, it was so important to bring another team (to the top), to show my passion to the team. I think life is full of opportunity, I think it is important to take the right opportunity. Chelsea return thrills Ranieri Chelsea return thrills Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri for Premier League showdown Ranieri said his return to west London, where he spent four moderately successful years at Stamford Bridge, would be an emotional occasion.As Chelsea drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur just under a fortnight ago, a result which confirmed Leicester had won the first top-tier title in the Midlands clubs 132-year history, home supporters were heard chanting the affable Ranieris name throughout.It is amazing. I have been back there with Juventus in the Champions League but this time is different because this time it is with Leicester, another English club, said Ranieri.It is emotional, I hope my old fans are happy. When I came here I said the last match is at Chelsea... wow. Now I come back as a champion. Its a good story.Sunday will also be a farewell for Chelseas interim boss Guus Hiddink Claudio Ranieri hopes his performance in helping Leicester winning the Premier League will help change peoples perception of him in football The Dutchman, who won the 2009 FA Cup during his first caretaker spell, brought stability, but still has only one home win in the Premier League.The Blues drew 1-1 at Liverpool on Wednesday and are 10 points behind the Reds, who are one position above them in eighth.Chelsea could finish 10th, if Stoke beat West Ham, but are unlikely to drop to 11th as Swansea, who play Manchester City, are three points behind and have a far inferior goal difference.In general Im happy with this last half-year. I did it with a lot of joy, Hiddink said.For Chelsea standards it has been a season with deception. We managed to come back and were happy to, but its not enough for Chelsea standards.Its now relatively quiet in the club. We have to go on and be very competitive next season. Chelsea reveal they have offered captain John Terry a new one-year contract Team newsDiego Costa is out of the game with a hamstring injury and Hiddink is uncertain whether the Spain striker will recover to play at this summers European Championships.ddddddddddddGoalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is available following illness, while a late decision will be made on Branislav Ivanovic, who missed the draw at Liverpool with a groin problem.Meanwhile, Branislav Ivanovic may return from a groin injury, but Loic Remy and Kurt Zouma are out and John Terry is still suspended.Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater is available after suspension, but Robert Huth is still serving his ban.Jamie Vardy is expected to feature despite suffering cramp in his hamstrings last weekend.Opta stats Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink is unsure if captain John Terry will sign a new one-year contract offered by the club Chelsea had won six straight league games against Leicester City before the Foxes 2-1 win back in December.Leicester have lost just two of their last 21 Premier League away games (W13 D6 L2).The Foxes will end the season with the most points away from home in the Premier League this season (38 currently).Chelsea have won just five Premier League games at home this season; against the bottom four and Arsenal.The Blues have gone 11 Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge without a clean sheet.Mersons prediction Jamie Redknapp joins Ed Chamberlin to preview all Sundays action in the Premier League Which Eden Hazard is playing? If he turns up like he has done in recent weeks then it will be a different game. He has been unbelievable recently, his performance against Liverpool was one of the best of the season, that was what he was doing most weeks last year when they won the title.It will be an open and entertaining game, Leicester wont want to end their season on a losing note so there should be goals.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)BettingSky Bet have priced up Chelsea at 5/4 to beat Leicester, with the champions available at 2/1 to cap their remarkable season with a win over last years victors, while the draw is available at 13/5.Chelseas Eden Hazzard has started to rediscover his best form heading into the Euros and Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier is backing the Belgian to score the games first goal and his prediction is priced at 7/1. ' ' '