Northamptonshire Second XI played out two determined victories vs Worcestershire 2XI today. The first a dominant 26 run win and the second a close-fought 8 run victory, helped by a half-century from captain Luke Procter.
This makes it 4/4 after they won both matches away at Newport v Glamorgan this week.
In the first game Northamptonshire scored a respectable 171-5. Charlie Thurston top scored with a 36 from 22 balls which included 1 six and 5 fours. Thurston was well supported by Emilio Gay and Kashif Ali, who both posted 34 to drive Northamptonshire to a good total.
The Steelbacks bowling attack got off to a superb start with three quick wickets – Alex Russell claiming two of the catches from Gouldstone and White before Glover bowled Banton.
Cox and Cullen did form a solid partnership, reaching 62 between them. However, when Cullen edged on to his own stumps from the bowling of Procter, Worcestershire’s chase quickly unravelled through their lower order, and they fell 27 runs short.
In the second match The Steelbacks elected to bat again and posted an impressive 212/8. Luke Procter top scored with 64* from 40 balls.
The top order got off to a stuttering start with Miller bowled by Banton for 0 and Gouldstone caught on 10. However, Thurston and Gay batted well, scoring 74 between them to drive the total up.
Skipper Luke Procter then made the innings his own with a superb half-century coming in 34 balls, and he shared six partners to end 64*.
Worcestershire’s chase got off to a strong start as Fell and Cornall raced to a 55-run partnership. Banton continued this steady pace, recording a half-century from 28 balls and finishing on 61 from 35 when he was bowled by Brandon Glover.
Northamptonshire saw out the rest of innings to see Worcestershire finish on 204/4 and win the match by 8 runs.