Northamptonshire's improbable victory

Cricket Michael Austin
Monday 28 August 1995 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cricket

MICHAEL AUSTIN

reports from Northampton

Nottinghamshire 527 and 157 Northamptonshire 781-7 dec Northamptonshire win by an innings and 97 runs

This memorable victory, achieved with 17 balls remaining, kept Northamptonshire in the Championship frame, 11 points behind Middlesex and six adrift of Warwickshire.

The remarkable factor was how it was won. Northamptonshire had surpassed Nottinghamshire's towering first-innings total with such speed on the third day that Allan Lamb, the captain, took a second and triumphant option. The innings escalated towards 800 on the final morning, with 72 runs added in nine overs.

Anil Kumble, the Indian leg-spinner, reached 91 Championship wickets with a return of 5 for 43 in 39.1 overs, but Nottinghamshire's resistance was low, although Wayne Noon spent almost three hours at the crease, making 25 not out despite being struck on the jaw while keeping wicket to Jimmy Hindson.

Kumble bowled 36 consecutive overs from the Pavilion End, and is in sight of becoming the first Northamptonshire player to capture 100 wickets in a season since Bishen Bedi in 1973. He took the final wicket of Bobby Chapman leg before, while still dazed after a gully collision with Tony Penberthy.

The earlier, critical phase involved Nottinghamshire losing three wickets in eight balls. Once Tim Robinson had played on to Kumble - the ball spinning back on to the stumps - and Paul Johnson had chipped a return catch, Northamptonshire were in a prime position.

David Capel had been warned twice by umpire John Harris for running on the pitch and disappeared from the attack, leaving Kumble and Kevin Curran to sustain the challenge. Capel had become the fourth century-maker in Northamptonshire's innings, a county record, from 87 balls.

Andy Afford was the heaviest sufferer, returning 3 for 223 in a contest which will be long recalled by Northamptonshire as they seek their first Championship title since being admitted to the competition 90 years ago. As for Nottinghamshire, they may need a new drawing board.

Johnson, next season's captain, played two poor strokes in being dismissed for four and nought. The side's batting remains quixotic and their fighting qualities, like those of many on the wrong end of four-day games, need an injection of steel.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in