Sport News

Duo revive struggling Northants

category: Cricket

02.05.2008 22:26

Captain Nicky Boje and David Sales boosted Northants' chances of salvaging a draw against Worcestershire after they had an awful day with the ball.

Boje hit 55 off 99 balls and Sales chipped in with 48 as Northants rallied to 161-2, still 71 behind overall.

Earlier, the Pears declared on 400-8 after Kabir Ali struck 46, Gareth Batty made 37 and Steve Davies crashed 31.

Seamers David Lucas and Johann Louw finished with seven victims between them but Monty Panesar was wicketless.

Despite a rapid 32-ball knock from Davies, Lucas and Louw gave their team hope by reducing Worcestershire to 295-6 from their overnight 216-3.

Batty and Ali added a further 48 to dash prospects of a quick end to the innings and though Louw bagged his third wicket by remocing Batty, Ali continued to pile on the runs.

He smashed England left-arm spinner Panesar into the stands and Gareth Andrew (27) joined in the act to leave Northants toiling.

Ali eventually looped a catch to mid-on before Andrew brought up Worcester's 400 with a glorious cover drive.

With a lead of 232, skipper Vikram Solanki declared just before tea and Rob White soon edged Steve Magoffin to first slip.

Boje promoted himself to three and showed his pedigree with an array of elegant strokes as he put on 47 with Stephen Peters before the latter hooked Andrew straight to deep square-leg for 33.

There were no further alarms for the home side but they have plenty of work left on the final day.

Original text is here

  Add comment

Name:
E-Mail:
Comment:
Enter code: