Fighting half centuries from Josh Cobb and Adam Rossington saw Northamptonshire bat the day for a draw against Sussex.
Sussex batted for just eighteen minutes on the final morning to lift their total to 339 for 4 and set Northamptonshire 394 to win. The visitors had a wicket early, Ricardo Vasconcelos edging to slip in the third over of the innings for 10. Ben Curran and concussion substitute Josh Cobb batted through the remainder of the morning session, Cobb posting his second half century of the match and taking the total past 100 before the break.
The partnership ended on 99 however, Ben Curran feathering an edge to the keeper shortly after lunch. Josh Cobb was bowled by Hamza without offering a shot on 68, his innings coming off just 73 balls with 11 boundaries. Northamptonshire lost Keogh and overseas batsman Bavuma in the same over shortly after. Keogh trapped in front by Jordan and Bavuma run out after a mix-up with Rossington, Wiese throwing down the stumps from mid off to find the South African short of his ground at the striker’s end.
Luke Procter and Adam Rossington safely closed out the afternoon session, adding 50 to the total to take Northamptonshire into tea at 212 for 5, still needing a further 182 to win. Procter fell in just the second over after the break though, edging to the keeper for 25 to expose the bowlers and keep Sussex chasing victory.
It wouldn’t come though, stand-in skipper Adam Rossington (69*) and Brett Hutton (25*) battling hard and digging in through 35 overs to see out the final session for a draw. Northamptonshire taking 11 points from the match.
Sussex 422 (Sanderson 3/78, Overton 3/79) & 339/4 d (Overton 2/58, Sanderson 1/39)
Northamptonshire 368 (Vasconcelos 83, Cobb 62) & 288/6 (Rossington 69*, Cobb 68)