Early Wickets Hand Hants the Initiative

Report from day one of Hampshire's LV= County Championship match against Northamptonshire at The Ageas Bowl

Hampshire v Northamptonshire
LV= County Championship
Day One: Wednesday 15 August 2012
The Ageas Bowl

Summary: Northamptonshire lead Hampshire by 170 runs
with five wickets remaining in the first innings.
Northamptonshire: 170-5 (48 ovs)
Scorecard

Hampshire Team
Adams*, McKenzie, Katich, Dawson, Vince, Ervine, Bates†, Wood, Balcombe, Ali, Tomlinson
Northamptonshire Team
Peters, O'Brien, Sales, Wakely, Newton, Hall*, Middlebrook, Murphy†, Willey, Daggett, Evans

Early wickets from Hampshire put them in a commanding position before a middle-order fightback somewhat halted their progress on day one of this LV= County Championship match against Northamptonshire at The Ageas Bowl.

Hampshire’s achievement in reducing their visitors to 98-5 at one stage, really helped move the game along, having lost much of the day’s play to rain.

But Northants would be grateful for the contributions of James Middlebrook (26*) and Rob Newton (46*) who put on 72 for the sixth wicket before stumps; their side going in on 170-5.

Nevertheless, early wickets in the morning could yet help Hampshire wrestle this game back firmly into their control.

 

After a delayed start to proceedings, it was Hampshire that won the toss and stuck their visitors into bat. Clearly hoping to make up for lost time, they made their first breakthrough with just six overs played, James Tomlinson (2-27) getting Niall O’Brien (8) to edge behind.

But a partnership of 39 between David Sales (18) and Stephen Peters helped Northants to re-build after the early wicket and it wasn’t until the 19th over that Hants got their second scalp, David Balcombe (2-16) having David Sales (18) playing on; Northants 59-2.

And one brought two. Just five overs later it was Chris Wood’s out-swinging delivery that eluded Peters. He edged to Liam Dawson (his 35th catch of the season from second slip!) dismissing the 33-year old just three runs shy of his half century.

And Northants’ wobble was starting to resemble a full-blown collapse when another catch quickly followed. This time it was Adams, at third slip, dismissing Alex Wakely (5) off Balcombe – the tall pace-bowler having figures of 2-14 already.

Adams was at it again in Tomlinson’s first over back in the attack, this time with a low diving catch to dismiss his opposite number, Andrew Hall (2); Northants five down and not even through the 100 barrier!

Completely in control at this point, Hampshire then bowled three maidens simultaneously to keep Northamptonshire pegged back.

However, the arrival of Middlebrook brought with it a new lease of life for his team and, with the help of Newton, soon saw the 50 partnership and their team’s 150 come up.

In many ways the pair would have wished to have continued past the finishing time of 7:15, so comfortable were they at the crease. Hampshire will be hoping the interruption to their innings brings early wickets in the morning.

Catch Up:

Preview:

Hampshire Seek Revenge Against Northants

Keep Up:

Live Text Cricket Updates	Get updates sent to your phone by texting "Follow @HantsCricket" to 86444 (see link for more details)
Live Text Weather Updates	Get updates sent to your phone by texting "Follow @TheAgeasBowl" to 86444 (see link for more details)
Match-Day Information Line (for weather updates)	02380 475 662
Online Ball-by-Ball Commentary	Hospital Broadcasting Association

Words: Will Rimell
Images: NJM Photography

Back to news