LVCC: Gloucestershire 302 & 76-3 beat Northamptonshire 124 & 252 by seven wickets (PTS: Glos 22, Northants 3)
Gloucestershire were frustrated for a while on day three at Wantage Road but the second new ball wrapped up the Northants second-innings and a small target was overcome.
The win pushes Alex Gidman's side back up to third in the table but they still require Glamorgan or Sussex - who still have to play each other - to drop points to get back into the promotion race.
A record partnership for Northants against Gloucestershire was shared between James Middlebrook and wicketkeeper David Murphy. The pair put on 141 very easily in the morning session where nothing was on offer for the bowlers, including nine overs for debutant Ed Young.
The lead was threatening to become testing for the visitors but the second new ball arrived and 26 balls added enough movement to cause three problems. Three deliveries swung into the pads and three leg before decisions closed the innings. About time too.
But Gloucestershire ended up under pressure chasing just 75. Will Porterfield tried to swing away the target but played one shot too many and was caught for 23. Jon Batty's helpless run also continued, this time his shot selection at fault as he was caught behind for just five. Gidman also lost his middle stump as Chris Dent's 28 not out took his side to victory.
Surely Batty has had enough chances, he should be rested for his own good? Louis Gegg should be brought in for the next championship match. We have blooded Dent and Young this season so he should be in good company.
ReplyDeleteHis batting may be poor but he still heads the 1st class fielding averages with 51 dismisals in 13 matches. http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/ENG/LV_County_Championship_2010/Fielding_by_Dismissals.html
ReplyDeleteI suggest our bowlers have had a hand in that as well. The point about Jon Batty, and his lack of runs, is that he has been opening the batting.
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