Saggers could swing into the England frame
Kent 472 Middlesex 221 and 61
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.As kent tightened their grip on this match by enforcing the follow-on, the man most instrumental in setting it all up for them was their King of Swing, Martin Saggers.
Two more crucial wickets, those of the overnight heroes Ben Hutton and David Nash, with the morning session a bare half hour old, turned probability into certainty that Middlesex would be asked to bat again.
Whether his consistent performances over the last few seasons can turn an outside chance of a Test place into selection is an unknown. But the England selectors have been left mulling over a replacement following news of Andy Caddick's injury and Saggers, on this showing, would be a sound choice.
Middlesex were facing arrears of 251 runs well before lunch and although the weather could play an important part in sparing them the ignominy of defeat – rain cost Kent 50 precious overs yesterday – there is no doubt overs Saggers's part in the visitors' demise.
It can only be his age, Saggers will be 31 next week, that stands against him, because it most definitely is not his weight of wickets. The record books positively groan under the figures. In his previous three seasons at Canterbury his accurate pacy swing bowling has helped him claim 199 Championship wickets at around 22. This season, after a slow start he is finally getting into his stride and yesterday's first innings tally has brought him up to 14, at a consistent 22.
His seven-over spell yesterday morning was pretty impressive, he sent down five maidens and the two wickets cost just eight runs. Saggers was perhaps lucky to have avoided the bulk of Imran Tahir's entertaining if unorthodox knock. The leg-spinner threw his bat at everything on his way to 29 to help Middlesex to a solitary bonus point.
It was a different story second time around. Saggers only managed three wicketless overs before lunch and when they re-emerged shortly before 6pm he was not called upon straightaway, but the moment he was, out came the light metres and off went the relieved Middlesex openers Andrew Strauss and Sven Koenig.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments