FRIENDS PROVIDENT t20, Northampton:
Northants 180-5 tied with Yorkshire 180-3
Match scorecard

Northants were involved in their second TP t20 tie in four matches as Yorkshire threw away victory at Wantage Road.

Chasing Yorkshire's 180-3, in which ex-South Africa Test star Herschelle Gibbs hit his first ton in Twenty20 cricket, Northants needed 13 off the final ball.

But, bizarrely, Richard Pyrah bowled a no-ball, which was clouted for six by all-rounder Nicky Boje over long leg.

And Boje then smashed the following delivery through midwicket for four to claim a share of the spoils on 180-5.

Gibbs had hammered a magnificent 101 not out off 53 balls, an explosive knock which included five sixes and eight fours.

But that still did not prove enough as Boje took advantage of the two-run penalty for no-balls in this competition to somehow snatch an improbable tie.

Chasing 181 to win, Northants actually ought to have won after openers David Sales and Chaminda Vaas raced to 50 off just 27 balls.

They put on 101 before former West Indies paceman Tino Best finally made the breakthrough when he had Sales caught behind just one short of a deserved half-century.

The in-form Vaas did reach his second half century of the competition, before smashing Adil Rashid to mid-wicket on 53.

From there they fell away and two wickets in the penultimate over bowled by Anthony McGrath threatened to seal Northants' fate. But Boje kept his head as Yorkshire lost theirs.

BBC Radio Northampton's Richard Savage gives his verdict on an astonishing finale:

Long after this year's Twenty20 has ended this game will be remembered for the night Northants scored 12 off the final ball to earn a tie.

For now though, a few harsh realities mustn't be forgotten amid all the excitement and bewilderment.

Northants let their opponents score 10 to 20 too many, despite Herschelle Gibbs' brilliance.

And, at 100 without loss after 11, this chase should have been a breeze.

That the Steelbacks still made life difficult for themselves in a chase is of concern.

I'm not sure whether it's one point lost or one point gained. Northamptonshire though are still in the chase for a top four spot. Just.

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