Derbyshire 260 and 342 (Madsen 116, Crtichley 51, Hosein 38)
Northamptonshire 289 and 174-3 (Crook 68, Wakely 48 not)
Northamptonshire require 140 runs to win
Northamptonshire were left to chase 314 to win this game at Chesterfield, the highest score that an opponent will have made on the ground in the fourth innings, to win the game or otherwise.
Such was the size of the task facing our visitors when they embarked on the chase after tea today, yet by the close, at 174-3, you would have to say they were favourites.
That the target got to such a scale was primarily down to Wayne Madsen, who scored his twenty-seventh first-class century for the county and his fourth at Chesterfield. It took him just under four and three quarter hours and was an outstanding effort on a wicket where runs are still possible, but the ball is misbehaving at times.
He received excellent support from Harvey Hosein, who has had a good match here, before Matt Critchley completed a fine all round performance with 51. He was then cruelly run out when Prasanna deflected a Viljoen straight drive onto the stumps at the non-striker's end.
Thereafter only a few lusty blows from Viljoen took the lead over 300, but the visitors scored runs freely, suggesting that they were indeed set to make a new entry in the history books.There was a good first wicket for Dan Wheeldon, getting Ben Duckett leg before wicket, but Crook batted well and though Vasconcelos fell quickly, he and Wakely chugged along at a merry old rate, before Critchley got one to turn to have him caught at short leg.
Wakely has had his challenges this year but batted well for a second time and, in company with the dangerous Richard Levi, has given them an excellent chance of winning a fine advert for county cricket.
For Derbyshire? Someone has to do something special tomorrow.
If ever there was a time for Hardus Viljoen to channel his 'Hove 2017' mojo, this is it.
Very decent batting performance from slater madden HH and Critchley all despite a poor ending whereby the tail didn’t wag enough when Northants were struggling. 350+ and taking some more time out of the game would have been preferable. I was saying 275-300+ last night when others on forums and twitter were saying 225+ was enough. I didn’t see it that way. Had a feeling this pitch has got better as the game has gone on in the past and certainly not deteriorated. Not seen a single ball but I imagine a very fast outfield what with the weather. Well poised tomorrow they bat deep down and frankly am a bit perplexed why Palladino only bowled 6 overs out of 42
ReplyDeleteHi Peakfan I attended today, thought Wheeldon had a bit of a Bresnan quality to him - it came out quicker than his run-up suggested, a useful biffer and a real team-man. I don't know to what extent the civilian staff and the playing staff mix, but it must be weird for all concerned for him to have crossed over, although the joy the team took in his wicket showed he's clearly well-regarded and he troubled the batsmen more than Dino in their respective spells and I hope we see him on the field again.
ReplyDeleteWithout many memorable shots Madsen accumulated quickly (how often is that the sign of a very good player?) although one reverse sweep that went to the boundary like a rocket was a beauty. Nice to see camaraderie between the two teams on the whole, but if Richard Levi takes them home tomorrow I'll be doubly disappointed...his catch was superb, not least for a big man but the rest of his day in the field seemed to involve him sledging and shouting inanities which even his own team-mates seemed bored by.
I have witnessed most of today's play at Chesterfield & once again come away disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the total of 314 to win is enough (hope I'm wrong). Derbyshire needed to bat until tea at least setting them a total of 350+, in other words batted them out of the game & deflated them.
We've given them almost 130 overs to make the runs, a shade over 3 an over which is not hard going.
I'm sorry to report in my opinion our bowling attack as been weak. We have given them too many "buffet balls" (help yourself) too many easy runs & way too many balls bowled down the legs side.
Fielding placings have not been aggressive, starting off with one slip & no gully is unbelievable.
Too me the body language was not positive which is a bad sign.
Early wickets & some cloud cover are our only hope of a positive result.
If there was league table for being in a strong position & letting games slip we would be top!
There was lots of moans around me this evening about the performance after tea.
If anybody thinks I'm talking rubbish then please reply
MH
unfortunately you are not talking rubbish !
ReplyDeleteto use Tennis parlance it is advantage Northants!
The first hour is crucial
Quite right Steve and thankfully they just have!
ReplyDeleteCounty cricket as it should be; you don't need any gimmicks to sell a match like that in the surrounds of Queen's Park.
Priceless.
The team showed a lot of character to win today, especially with Viljoen not firing. A terrific all-round performance by Matt Critchley, whose bowling has come on so well over the last two seasons.
ReplyDeleteAny Derbyshire supporters doubting Wayne Madsen's class and longevity (and there have been quite a few) should note that he has the top aggregate in Division 2 and the the second in the country.