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Northants rescued by Boje heroics

category: Cricket

03.05.2008 21:52

A career-best unbeaten 226 from skipper Nicky Boje earned Northants a draw against Worcestershire at Wantage Road.

Boje resumed on 55 with his team 71 behind at 161-2 and scored the 45 needed for his century from 60 balls, firing 13 from one Gareth Andrew over.

He shared 181 with Lance Klusener, a fifth-wicket club record versus Worcs.

Johann Louw smashed five sixes and four fours in an unbeaten 67, while Boje's innings was the highest by a Northants batsman against Worcs since 1937.

David Sales completed his fifty in the first over of the day with a cover drive to the boundary off Australian Steve Magoffin.

But next ball he edged the seamer straight to second slip.

After Rki Wessels departed for a quickfire 14, Boje, who reached lunch on 126, was well supported by compatriot Klusener, who fired 32 from 42 balls as the home side reached the interval 60 runs ahead.

Klusener raced to 74, crashing five fours in consecutive overs and lifting Gareth Batty over mid-wicket for six.

The visitors were without the injured Kabir Ali, and injury-prone Simon Jones fielded as a substitute, having recovered from his ricked neck.

In the 88th over Jones took a looping catch at mid-wicket when Klusener mis-timed, but the handful of remaining supporters were treated to some big hitting from Louw before the captains agreed on a draw an hour after tea.

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