COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Northants 465-6 (Northants 5pts, Leics 2pts)
23-26 September

Rob White hit 27 fours and one six in his 226-ball 193

Centuries from Rob White and Andrew Hall helped keep Northants' promotion hopes alive on day one against bottom club Leicestershire at Wantage Road.

Beginning the day three points behind second-placed Essex, Northants were in trouble at 44-4 after losing the toss.

But White added 134 with Riki Wessels (65) before sharing a sixth-wicket stand of 268 with Hall (138no).

White fell to AJ Harris (2-106) before the close for 193, as Northants ended the day in control on 465-6.

Knowing that victory would be see them promoted, if Essex fail to beat Derbyshire, Northants began poorly.

They lost openers Niall O'Brien and Stephen Peters inside the first six overs to Harris and Harry Gurney respectively.

Things got no better for the hosts when former Leicestershire batsmen Paul Harrison and Alex Wakely were both dismissed cheaply by James Benning (2-53).

But White and Wessels, who brought up his half-century by plundering three boundaries in one Harris over, launched a counter-attack, adding 50 in just 39 balls.

Wessels' cameo ended when he was trapped lbw by the left-arm spin of Claude Henderson, leaving White and Hall to dominate the visiting attack in their mammoth stand.

The pair dominated the afternoon session, adding 186 in the 36 overs between lunch and tea as White reached his seventh first-class hundred.

The assault continued after tea, but White was to fall seven short of a double century, leaving Nicky Boje to accompany Hall to the close.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version