Bates Makes Big Hundred in Seconds' Cause

May 2 2013

Michael Bates batted for most of day two

Hampshire 2XI v Northamptonshire 2XI
Second XI Championship
Tues 30 April – Thurs 2 May 2013
The Ageas Bowl (Nursery Ground)

Summary: Match Drawn
Northamptonshire 2XI: 261 & 424-4
Hampshire 2XI: 522-3d

Michael Bates struck a massive unbeaten 179 as Hampshire’s batsmen put on a terrific first Second XI Championship performance of the season against Northamptonshire 2XI on the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was supported brilliantly by Michael Roberts (165) and Hamza Riazuddin (109*) as the team struck 522-3 declared in response to their opponents’ day one 261 (David Griffiths 4-63, Riazuddin 2-50, Jack Sheppard 2-73).

That meant they’d scored exactly double Northants’ first innings total but on day three the wickets weren’t as easy to come by as the visitors amassed 424-4 to secure a draw.

Bates said, after his knock, “I’m thrilled with 179*. That’s what I’m going out to show at the moment – that I can actually bat, and bat long periods of time. I batted pretty much the whole day and, obviously, 179* is a big hundred, so they’re the sort of hundreds that catch the eye of people and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do – pile on the runs and keep knocking on the door.”

The performance gains Hampshire 11 points to Northants’ eight.

They are next in Championship action against Kent from Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16 May, once again on the Ageas Bowl Nursery ground. Admission to that match will be free, starting at midday.

Words: Simon Vincent
Images: LMI Photography