Rain Denies Northamptonshire Victory in County Championship Thriller
By John doe
English spring showers have left Australian trio Darren Lehmann, Harry Conway and Nathan McSweeney frustrated after Northamptonshire were denied what appeared a certain victory against Kent in the County Championship's second division.
Dominant Position Wiped Away
Having piled up an imposing 2-684, with McSweeney making 101 not out, Lehmann's Northants had bowled out their hosts for 178 with Conway taking 5-36. They then reduced Kent to 3-162 following on, with Conway dismissing England Test batsman Zak Crawley for the second time in the match.
Monday's fourth and final day began with Kent trailing by 433 runs and they were soon five wickets down, with Conway removing nightwatchman Jas Singh. However, rain and bad light then wiped out play from mid-morning until late afternoon.
Play eventually resumed after most spectators had departed, but Conway could not make the breakthrough. Nor, after conditions became too dark for the quicks to bowl, could part-time off-spinner McSweeney or any of his teammates.
Ben Compton, who had been stranded on 99 for four hours, went on to make 114 not out before Northants eventually conceded.
Anderson Rolls Back the Years at Old Trafford
Lancashire secured a remarkable win over Derbyshire at Old Trafford, with former England seamer James Anderson producing a devastating spell.
The 43-year-old ensured the batting efforts of Marcus Harris did not go to waste. Lancashire had lost 4-13 in the morning session, including Harris for 66, to be dismissed for 160 and seemed destined for defeat with Derbyshire needing just 137.
Derbyshire suffered a setback when Harris caught Tasmanian Caleb Jewell for five, but had progressed to 3-73 when wickets tumbled dramatically. Anderson took 4-7 in his 29-ball second spell, with Derbyshire ultimately dismissed for 108 as Anderson also effected the run-out for the final wicket.
Division One Round-Up
Fergus O'Neill's Nottinghamshire dismissed Glamorgan for 285 to win by 192 runs in Division One. However, the Victorian was not involved in the conclusion after substituting out due to a rib injury, a development permitted under a new trial regulation introduced this season.
The extent of O'Neill's injury remains unknown, but unless serious he is unlikely to miss any cricket. Under the regulations he cannot feature for eight days, but Nottinghamshire do not play again until April 24.
Similarly, Jhye Richardson, who was withdrawn from Yorkshire's match with Hampshire through illness on Saturday, will not miss any cricket. The generosity of the regulation is already drawing criticism from some quarters.
O'Neill had taken one second-innings wicket to give him match figures of 5-66. His replacement, all-rounder Lyndon James, claimed two wickets.
Yorkshire lost by 214 runs at Leeds, with Hampshire having been boosted by earlier innings of 76 and 92 from Jake Lehmann.
Sussex Chase Down Target
Sussex successfully chased down 328 to beat Beau Webster's Warwickshire. An unbeaten 120 from English veteran Jack Leaning built on opener Daniel Hughes' 83 as Sussex won by five wickets. Webster bowled four overs for 23 runs without reward.
A run-fest at The Oval, where fans were encouraged to work remotely with desks provided and superfast wifi, ended in a draw. Surrey and Leicestershire scored 1474 runs for the loss of just 24 wickets.
