Setting the Record Straight:

Northants completed a comfortable 49 run victory at Lord’s over Middlesex in the CB Pro-40 tournament under floodlights this evening. Despite having been eliminated Northants skipper Andrew Hall was pleased. “We want to bring our younger players through,” he said. He was new to the captaincy – his first season and paid tribute to former captain and golfing buddy Nicky Boje, who offered advice and assistance when requested.

“Our priority is promotion,” said Hall. “We missed out by one point last season.” Even though Northants were already eliminated, they set the record straight over a Middlesex team whose only chance of success this season was this competition. The rot began early as Middlesex captain Neil Dexter put the Steelbacks in. So would Hall have put the Panthers in if he had won the toss? “No,” says Hall. “I’d definitely have batted.”

Mistake:

Dexter was soon made to rue his decision to put the Steelbacks in. Opener Robert Newton got an early reprieve as Tim Murtagh dropped a swirling top-edged sweep off Pedro Collins. Mal Loye celebrated the extra life with his first six – a trade-mark swish that helped the ball on its way over the mid-wicket boundary. Collins conceded two as Loye dominated the power-play.

They brought up the hundred partnership without loss – Loye’s share a fine 54 from 48 balls. Three of his four sixes came to the short porch at midwicket, one behind square-leg. He had four other boundaries as he raced to his half century at better than a run a ball. Loye’s favourite shot eventually cost Newton his wicket as Dawid Malan easily took the catch behind square-leg for 41. Toby Roland-Jones broke the stand at 108.

In the following over Shaun Udal struck on Nelson (111) outwitting Alex Wakely in the flight, bowling him for 1 as he came down the pitch. David Sales and Loye repaired the damage until a hesitation on a sharp single resulted in Loye being run out by Gareth Berg for 66. His strike-rate had slowed down and he failed to add any more boundaries.

Sales took over run-making duties. He was dismissed for an impressive 84 with four overs remaining. “That was my highest score in the competition,” said Sales. “It was special to do it here [Lord’s].” Tom Scollay judged the catch perfectly on the boundary edge. Sales waited for confirmation from the third umpire. “I was asked to wait,” said Sales. “They wanted to check if he had brushed against it [the boundary rope].” He hadn’t, so Sales departed. Dexter had his man. His innings lasted 70 balls with ten boundaries – two of which cleared the rope.

Captaincy:

Strangely Hall, a batsman with a reputation for getting on with it still did not make an appearance. Loye’s performance justified it and so had Sales, but another vindicated the decision even more. It took a fantastic diving catch by Berg to bring Hall to the crease. Stephen Peters was the victim for an impressive 40. Murtagh was the fortunate bowler. Hall and David Willey steered Northants to 264 for 5 at the close of their innings.

His patience was rewarded amply, by the captain who has committed his future to Northants. “I’m not interested in international cricket he said. “I retired in 2007. I want to reach 1000 runs. It will be difficult as I still need another 400. We can’t win anything this season, but we can get promoted.”

Meek:

With their season resting on it Middlesex’s response got off to a poor start. Scott Newman made 11 before his defensive prod was too late, so Lee Dagget’s delivery beat his shot and disturbed his stumps. A circumspect Owais Shah was caught behind by David Murphy off a faint top-edge, trying to cut James Middlebrook for 4.

Meanwhile, Middlesex’s wicket-keeper and opening batsman John Simpson anchored the early stages of the innings, but the required rate steadily crept up. “ I was surprised that Simpson was the only one that targeted the short boundary,” said Hall. It passed eight an over by the time Dawid Malan departed for 10, spliced of the top of his bat. Hall easily took the catch to give Willey his first wicket.

Hall gave his side a distinct advantage when he took his second easy catch – this time at mid-on as Simpson’s 61 ball vigil ended for 48. He had hit five fours. At 93 for 4, with both wickets and time running out Middlesex’s last chance of success this season was slipping away. If ever there was a time for a heroic captain’s knock from Dexter this was it, but David Lucas had other ideas.

With Middlesex’s skipper on 27 – having hit the only six of his team’s innings Middlebrook claimed his second wicket thanks to a fine low catch by Lucas at long-off. At 108 for 5 Middlesex’s innings and hopes were in disarray, relying on Berg and the lower order to pull a rabbit from the hat to save the season.

No Rabbits:

Desperately needing runs Berg slashed Daggett to gully for 28. At 144 for 6 with 121 needed from twelve overs, Middlesex’s season was all but over in the first week of August. With time and wickets running out Shaun Udal belted Willey to deep-square for six. Daggett got hands to it on the boundary edge, but it would be harsh calling that a chance. Had he miraculously clung on he would have fallen over the boundary rope anyway.

The next ball Tom Scollay departed for 28 attempting to clear the shorter boundary. Willey took a magnificent catch falling backwards. Lucas claimed the wicket. It was up to the tail now, needing fourteen an over from the last six to rescue the season, but Udal was trapped leg before wicket for 21 by Hall.

Middlesex scraped past 200 before Hall claimed his second wicket. Wakely took the catch to send Murtagh back for 5. It left Toby Roland-Jones and Pedro Collins requiring 63 from two overs. Pedro Collins was bowled off the last ball by Willey for 8. Northants had won by 49 runs.