Rob Keogh’s fifteenth first-class century helped Northamptonshire out of troubled waters on Day 3 against Kent.
An unbeaten stand of 92 between Keogh and Berg lifted Northamptonshire to 300 for 7 when bad light ended play early, the visitors leading by 195.
Day 3 saw the return of overcast conditions with both Azad and Procter kept in check through the early stages of the morning. The pair added 76 in 149 deliveries, waiting patiently for loose deliveries as they ate into the deficit.
Azad reached a seventeenth first-class century on his Northamptonshire debut but fell to the very next delivery when Quinn had him given out LBW. Luke Procter departed shortly after when he miscued an attempted pull shot, and despite a positive start to his innings which included a well timed clip over midwicket for six, Josh Cobb edged behind shortly before the break.
Northamptonshire found themselves in a precarious position to begin the afternoon, the lead a narrow one and wickets looking precious in conditions that still seemed to favour the ball. Rob Keogh continued unphased however and found willing partners throughout the order.
Sales and McManus both aided the resistance as the pitch seemed to flatten, Northamptonshire slowly progressing the lead toward three figures. When Keogh lost both counterparts in the lead up to the new ball though, the position looked a precarious one.
Both he and Berg remained positive against the new ball and began lifting the lead into areas that will start to cause some shifting in seats amongst the Kent faithful. As the light closed in, so did both batsmen on milestones though it was only Keogh who could reach his by the close.
After 11 balls sat on 99 Keogh found a gap and a scampered two that took him to a fifteenth first-class century, a crucial one at that. Berg will have to wait until the morning if he’s to raise the bat, the all-rounder unbeaten on 49 as the light faded and the players head off early.
Northamptonshire finished the day 300/7, leading by 195 and setting up an intriguing final day in Canterbury.