Club Cricket: Seamer’s Five-for Helps Northants Limit First-innings Deficit
Chester le Street, 19th June: In a closely contested County Championship clash at the Chester le Street Cricket Ground, Seamer Ben Sanderson’s impressive five-wicket haul kept Northamptonshire in the hunt against Middlesex on the second day.
Middlesex, who had bowled out Northamptonshire for 207 in the first innings, managed to post 250/7 in their reply, gaining a slender 43-run lead. Sanderson was the pick of the Northamptonshire bowlers, registering figures of 5/58 to reclaim his status as Division Two’s leading wicket-taker.
Earlier, half-centuries from Sam Robson (58) and Leus du Plooy (66*) had given Middlesex the upper hand, but Sanderson’s resilient performance ensured the visitors remained in contention. Middlesex captain Toby Roland-Jones also shone with the ball, picking up 5/49 to dismantle Northamptonshire’s first innings.
“The second day’s play saw some thrilling backyard cricket-esque moments, with Northamptonshire’s Prithvi Shaw shelling a trio of slip catches, allowing Middlesex to strengthen their position.”
However, Sanderson and Lewis McManus’ defiant partnership of 83 runs had earlier helped the visitors cross the 200-run mark.
As the match heads into the third day at the Chester le Street Cricket Club, both teams will be eager to gain the upper hand and secure a valuable victory in the race for the County Championship title.
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