Northamptonshire CC2 at Wantage Road

NORTHANTS COMPREHENSIVELY THRASH NOTTS

Northants gained a comprehensive and deserved 124 run victory today taking the remaining seven Notts second innings wickets for 82 runs in two hours at sunny Wantage Road. 

On a wicket still giving plenty of help to the bowlers their seamers were rewarded for bowling a consistent line and length with Rory Kleinveldt being the hero with 13 wickets in the match, all the Notts batsman found him unplayable. Notts will rue having such an under strength line up but where handicapped by their poor second innings bowling performance where Richard Levi's hard hitting innings took the game away from Notts. Northants were not really handicapped by Duckett's unfortunate fractured finger. This was Northants 11th championship win in their last 16 games a team clearly not to be underestimated. They now have what appears to be a dream last fixture against the bedraggled Foxes. Notts meanwhile with a threadbare line up head to Hove needing may be up to 12 points for promotion. Mullaney is unlikely to be great wicket taker on the usual Hove batting surface so presumably an extra bowler will be included in the line up for the season's most important fixture next week.

Play commenced under a clear blue sky. Buck (Wilson End) and Kleinveldt (Pavilion End) opened up. Libby and Pujara were very circumspect but a good ball from Kleinveldt moved away and lifted and found the edge of Pujara's bat, the Indian gone for a disappointing 14, 119 for four. Next over Libby (42 off 137 balls with 3 x 4) edged another good ball from Kleinveldt as keeper Murphy took a regulation catch, 128 for five. Kleinveldt retired from the attack after an outstanding six over spell of six overs two for ten, Gleeson replaced him. Wessels came a long way across and missed as Sanderson got him leg before for four, 139 for six.

Sanderson was hit for six over square leg by Patel. Moores did not last long falling plumb leg before to Gleeson without scoring, 152 for seven. Patel (25) holed out to substitute Saif Zaib on the square leg ropes chipping a delivery from Gleeson straight down Zaib's throat, 175 for eight. There was a stoppage as Brett Hutton was hit in the nether regions. Read (17) then edged Buck to Levi at slip, 187 for nine. Gurney got a two and then Hutton (12) lost his off stump to the brisk Gleeson (3 for 52) as Northants triumphed at 1229 Notts 189 all out. Other than Patel no Notts batsmen were culpable for their own dismissal. Kleinveldt with four for 33 and match figures of 13 for 98 and 43 and 48 clearly had the match of his life. Luke Wood meanwhile top scored in both innings and had the best bowling figures in each of Cobblers innings, an excellent display. Notts need to keep their composure and hope for an improved performance by the seaside. They desperately need Pujara to make a belated impact and Gurney to find some red ball form. MAG

A LONG WAY TO GO BUT NOTTS MAKE SOME PROGRESS TOWARDS THEIR TARGET on a truncated day at Northampton

Only 1 hour 45 minutes play was possible at Northampton today as Notts slowly chiseled out runs towards their 314 target. 

Play got under way on time in very cloudy conditions. Notts got off to a solid start but then Luke Wood was dropped off Kleinveldt on 20 by Wakely at mid off. Richard Gleeson finally got a bowl in the 22nd over of the innings replacing the economical Ben Sanderson from the Wilson End. The 50 partnership between Libby and Wood came up in 13 overs, a very determined effort against accurate bowling. Sanderson switched ends replacing Kleinveldt and gave Luke Wood a nasty blow to his wrist, play was held up as Jamie Pipe came on the pitch to assess the injury. Gleeson bowled a five over spell but then made way for Buck. Wood was playing extremely well going for his shots but then mistimed a pull shot and skied to mid off where Wakely took the catch running back, Buck the bowler. Wood has scored another 44 off 79 balls with eight fours. He has had a splendid game with 88 off the bat and 8 wickets, Notts 91 for three. Gleeson switched ends and was troubling Pujara with his extra pace in what was now marginal light. Bad light stop play at 1215 with Notts on 107 for three with Libby on 30 and Pujara on 7. Notts had scored 74 off 25.3 overs the loss of Wood it had been their session. Light rain eventually set in and play was called off for the day at 1620. A very intriguing last day awaits with a much better weather forecast. MAG

ROLY-POLIES FLATTEN LIGHT-WEIGHT NOTTS

Northants heavyweights Rory Kleinveldt and Richard Levi have put the home side in a very strong position not only in terms of this match but in the promotion race as under strength Notts had a poor day at Wantage Road. 

After adding a paltry 71 runs to their overnight score, Notts bowled poorly on a wicket still giving the bowlers a great deal of assistance. On a slow seamer with uneven bounce the ball had to be pitched up on a length, unfortunately the Notts seamers lacked consistent line and length and they paid a high penalty as Levi raced to a hundred at more than a run a ball. Kleinveldt's first innings figures of nine for 65 were best by Northants bowler against Notts beating the previous record holder George Tribe (8 for 53 at TB in 1959) coupled with 91 runs off the bat, he has so far put in a quite superb effort. He followed this up with two more wickets in Notts second innings as Notts closed on 33 for two, still requiring an unlikely 280 runs for victory. If Northants bowl as well as in the first innings Notts will suffer a heavy defeat. If the expected happens then Notts will go to Hove with their bare bones side perhaps requiring as much as 12 points for promotion. This seems a big ask, they undoubtedly need to play the extra bowler down by the seaside; the last two games have clearly shown the tactic of playing the extra batter has not worked. It was not all doom and gloom for Notts, Luke Wood batted intelligently and with great determination and was not given enough of overs on a wicket that suited his style of well pitched up deliveries. Also there was a memorable catch to remove Kleinveldt with Hutton and sub Milnes teaming up to great effect. Gurney’s performance in this match has been a great disappointment, more should have been expected from an experienced bowler in such conditions.

First thing Billy Root (11) lasted just two balls before edging Kleinveldt to Duckett at slip, 80 for six. In his next over Kleinveldt got Moores to edge to Keogh at third slip who grassed the easiest of chances but the left hander departed in the same over plumb leg before for one, 86 for seven. Buck took over from Sanderson from the Wilson End. Wood and Read added 42 in 16 overs before Kleinveldt picked up his seventh wicket as Read (17) edged to Murphy. A poor shot from Hutton, a heads up slog saw his stumps demolished by Kleinveldt with a single to his name. Wood hit the first six of the game hooking Buck over long leg. Wood put bat to ball but then he was dropped by Wakely running from mid off towards the boundary injuring his nose in the process. Next ball Wood was caught and bowled by Kleinveldt for 44 off 74 balls (4 x 4, 1 x 6) as the roly poly South African finished with career best 24.2 overs nine for 65. Notts 151 all out had a deficit of 43 runs. Gleeson never even had to bowl a ball. Northants had two overs to face from Hutton and Wood and got to lunch on two for no wickets with Murphy on 2 and Newton on 0. Murphy opening instead of Duckett who had a broken finger.

In the second over after lunch Murphy (2) mistimed Wood and skied the ball as Wood took the catch as it came back down from orbit, 4 for one. Levi hit a short ball from Wood over square leg for six. Hutton and Wood bowled six and seven over opening spells respectively without further success and made way for Mullaney (Wilson End) and Gurney (Pavilion End). Levi for the second time in the match was playing aggressively as the first 50 partnership of the match between Newton and himself was brought in 13 overs. Mullaney went for 27 in his first three overs as Notts heads was visibly dropping in the field, Patel replaced him and hit for first ball over mid wicket for six by Levi which brought up his 50 off 40 balls. Levi then survived a very confident leg before appeal from Patel, Lloyds not raising the finger. Meanwhile Gurney was struggling for both line and length. Northants brought their hundred up in the 24th over. The hundred partnership came up the next over via a towering six over long on by Levi off Patel. Notts were given a brief respite as bad light stopped play at 1446 with Northants 109 for one off 25 overs with Levi 71 and Newton on 30. An early tea was taken and no overs were lost.

After tea the run scoring continued as Newton reached his half ton off 98 runs as Read shuffled his pack. Finally after the second wicket partnership had reached 147, Newton edged Hutton to Mullaney at slip. He had made 53 off 101 balls with five fours. Five balls later and in the same over Keogh (0) edged to Wessels at first slip, 151 for three. Patel devoured a Cobb as Josh edged him as Mullaney took a smart catch at slip. Samit’s 300th first class wicket. Cobb gone for eight, 162 for four. Levi's belligerent innings continued as pulled Hutton for six over backward square leg and reached his ton next ball with a four backward of point. The ton had taken the game away from Notts and came off 94 balls. Kleinveldt tucked into Hutton as 29 runs came off successive overs from Hutton. Finally Levi was removed, a full length delivery from Hutton clean bowling him for 115, 206 for five. A brilliant innings off 104 balls with 16 fours and four sixes. Kleinveldt on 22 had a life dropped by Mullaney at first slip off Patel, a sharp chance leaning back. Buck came in and hit Patel for four and six off successive balls. Gurney was bowling poorly Read putting most of his field on the boundary but it did not stop Kleinveldt hitting him over square leg for six. Buck then hit Patel for six over deep mid wicket and then a straight driven four off successive deliveries. The fifty partnership between Kleinveldt and Buck came up in eight overs as Buck hit Gurney for an offside four. Wood came for Patel at the Wilson End and bowled Buck off his pads for 26 off 29 balls (3 x 4, 2 x 6), 260 for 6.
Next over, Kleinveldt hooked Gurney to long leg and great piece of athleticism saw Hutton get to ball and parry the ball to substitute Matt Milnes who took the catch, 260 for seven. The big man narrowly missing out on a potential match double out for 48 (41 balls 9 x 4 1 x 6). Ben Sanderson was caught at mid on by Pujara for one as Wood picked up his seventh wicket of the match. Gleeson was bowled middle stump first ball by Wood, 270 all out as Duckett did not bat. Wood under bowled by his captain finished with career best championship figures for second time in consecutive days with 4 for 31 and match figures 8 for 53. Northants though only faced 52.2 overs and even taking into account a vastly under strength attack allowing the home team to score at such a rapid rate does not reflect very well on the collective bowling effort.

Notts needed 314 runs for victory and had to bat 14 overs before the close. It only took Kleinveldt eight balls to take his 10th wicket of the match as Mullaney was comprehensively bowled for two, 4 for one. Root (7) was strangely promoted to number three and mistimed a pull and edged that man Kleinveldt to Keogh at third slip, 16 for two. Kleinveldt took a rest as Buck bowled the final two overs from the Pavilion End. Notts closed on 33 for two with night watchman Wood on 13 and Libby on six. Kleinveldt was virtually unplayable all day bowling off seven paces generating all his pace from his quick arm action very like Andre Adams somehow Notts have got to see him off and pull off a very unlikely victory which would trump the victory at Chelmsford earlier this year if it did happen. MAG

NORTHANTS TAKE CONTROL ON DAY ONE

It's advantage Northants at the end of Day 1 of an eventual first day of Wantage Road. Northants knowing they needed a victory over depleted Notts, cannily put out a bowling wicket knowing that their bowling attack was stronger than Notts and it worked a treat as they led by 114 runs with Notts having only five first innings wicket standing. 

The wicket although straw covered offered extravagant movement throughout the day and also uneven bounce was apparent from both ends. The wicket though lacked pace and although a few hands were knuckled the pitch was poor rather than dangerous. Pitch Liaison Officer Richard Ellison is unlikely order a points deduction. Notts bowled competently and held their catches a couple of which were outstanding. They had basically done all they could with the ball and should have been well pleased with their efforts. Unfortunately Messrs Kleinveldt, Sanderson and Buck got more pace and bounce out of the wicket as captain Wakely had the luxury of not having to use Gleeson. Hutton stood out for Notts, whether he stays at Notts is open to conjecture now Coughlin has been signed on a three year contract. But with so many key bowlers unavailable Notts bowling attack lacked a real cutting edge. Pujara once again added nothing but Wessels apart all the batsmen were got out. With the pitch likely to get worse rather than better, Notts would have to aim for a lead of 50 plus to stand a realistic chance. It now looks very likely that they will now need 12 points at Hove next week to gain promotion. The decision not to put out a batting friendly surface against Worcester a fortnight ago may now come back to haunt them.

With only 13 fit men available the Notts team picked itself with the two Matt's Carter and Milnes being left out the eleven. Notts inserted Northants without a toss. Hutton (Wilson End) and Wood(Pavilion End) opened the bowling. The latter took a wicket with his third ball having Newton leg before for one. 1 for 1. Perhaps a lucky decision the ball pitching outside leg. In his next over Wood got Duckett to get a leading edge to a delivery and took a return catch. Duckett had played his shot too early and left with 2 to his name, 12 for two. Hutton was bowling well and got his deserved reward as Wakely (13) edged to Wessels who took a smart catch low down at first slip, 34 for three. Levi went on the attack and got to 35 (30 balls 7 x 4) when he was adjudged leg before to Wood, 60 for four. Brett Hutton after 8 over spell which removed Wakely and which had cost 29 was replaced by Mullaney. Gurney replaced Wood (8-2-32-3). Rob Keogh had a life on 12 when he was dropped off Mullaney off his own bowling, a chance above his head. Mullaney bowled six overs for five as Patel replaced him the over before lunch. Northants got to lunch on 83 for four with Keogh on 15 and Cobb on 16, 29 overs had been bowled.

Hutton and Wood returned after lunch and in the fourth over after lunch a stupendous diving catch to his right by Mullaney at second slip saw Rob Keogh depart off Hutton for 19, 86 for 5. In his next over the outstanding Hutton turned Murphy round as he edged to Mullaney at first slip having made a seven ball duck, 94 for six. Gurney came back to replace Wood after a five over post prandial spell. After a six over spell from the Wilson End Hutton was replaced by Mullaney. Gurney concentrating on accuracy rather than pace had Cobb caught at slip by Wessels for 36, 120 for seven. After a seven over spell that brought one wicket for 20 Gurney gave way to Patel but he was replaced after a single over from the Pavilion End by Brett Hutton. Patel switched ends to the Pavilion End and with Notts desperate for a wicket a quicker ball from Patel saw Kleinveldt play on for 43 off 63 balls (6 x 4); the most commanding innings of the day. The eighth wicket had an added an invaluable 44. After two overs Hutton came off and on came Wood. Mullaney picked up third catch as he caught Sanderson (10) at first slip off Patel, 182 for nine. Wood picked up his fourth wicket bowling Buck for 3. Northants 194 all out. Wood 4 for 52 (his best ever championship figures) and Hutton 3 for 52. The score seemed about 20 over par and the subsequent events more than underlined this.

Kleinveldt (Pavilion End) bowling off seven paces and Sanderson (Wilson End) opened the bowling as Notts had to face 32 overs. It was really hard going and it was no surprise when Mullaney was bowled by Kleinveldt for 15, 22 for one off 13 overs. Pujara disappointed once more jobbing at a ball from Kleinveldt to caught at second slip by Levi. Pujara gone for a three ball duck, 22 for two. Northants attack with more pace were creating more opportunities Libby became Kleinveldt's third victim plumb leg before for 13, 49 for three. Kleinveldt finally came off with figures of 10-2-32-3 as Buck changed ends and immediately Patel was plumb leg before for 13, 56 for four. Kleinveldt returned and in his second over Wessels played a poor shot wafting outside off stump and was caught behind by Murphy for 19, 79 for five. Wood came in as night watchman as Notts added a further single to close on 80 for 5 with the composed Root on 11 and Wood on 1. It will take something extraordinary for Notts to win this game from the overnight position, over to you Chris Read..MAG