Roundup: Northants and Leicestershire hold on
Six slips and three short legs stood ready to pounce as a nail-biting game went down to the final over at Wantage Road. First Northamptonshire were on top as Saif Zaib hit the boundary boards and Rob Keogh pierced the gaps, later helped by Josh Cobb. But Gloucestershire’s Ryan Higgins struck in successive balls and, with two wickets needed in the last over, Higgins dropped a tantalising caught and bowled as honours finished even.
A magnificent unbeaten century from Hassan Azad and a 60-ball 16 by their No 11, Beuran Hendricks, enabled Leicestershire to hang on by the skin of a custard at Grace Road. The unbroken last-wicket stand stood an hour and 38 minutes, causing Worcestershire much frustration.
A 50 from Wayne Madsen and another delectable half-century by Shan Masood gave Derbyshire hope of an enterprising win at Lord’s, until Middlesex’s Tom Helm took three wickets in 19 balls after tea. An abrupt about-turn followed and Leus du Plooy and Anuj Dal batted sensibly until stumps.
Nottinghamshire’s greater experience told as they beat Sussex’s callow youths by 10 wickets. Sussex fought gamely, with Ali Orr stoical at the top of the order for his 45, but a collapse of five wickets for 59 was terminal. Liam Patterson‑White finished with career-best match figures of eight for 128.
Kiran Carlson and Chris Cooke carried Glamorgan from choppy waters at Sophia Gardens to secure a draw against Durham. An elegant partnership of 92 put Durham off the scent after an early collapse. Cooke finished unbeaten on 85. In the morning Durham’s Alex Lees carried his bat, 182 not out.
Two Division One games dwindled into draws. Chelmsford’s pancake pitch served up yet more runs, as Kent surpassed Essex’s total in a game that produced five centuries. With the new signing Alex Davies breathing down his neck, the Warwickshire keeper Michael Burgess skipped to 178 off 221 balls against Surrey on the friendly Edgbaston surface.
A couple of nerve-janglers there at the end. An excellent and most unexpected start to the Championship, with two five-fers but 20* centuries. The only entirely predictable thing was Nottinghamshire’s victory, but even that unfurled in unexpected ways.
Time to walk the dog. Thanks for all you comments and hanging around. We’ll be back here on Thursday for round 2. See you then!
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