COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton:
Northants 385-9 dec drew with Worcestershire 45-0 dec & 182-6
Northants 6 pts, Worcs 5 pts
Match scorecard

Ali made his debut for Worcestershire in 2007

Rain helped Worcestershire secure a draw at Wantage Road after the visitors were struggling in pursuit of a victory target of 341 in a minimum of 88 overs.

With Northants having declared on 385-9 just before the close on day three, Worcestershire rattled to 45-0 in just 31 balls before declaring themselves.

Northants then forfeited their second innings and, when Daryl Mitchell went cheaply, a result seemed possible.

But Moeen Ali (62) and Alex Kervezee (52) saw their side to a draw on 182-6.

After the early loss of Mitchell, who had hit six fours to thump 31 off 21 balls earlier in the day, David Wheeldon then went cheaply too. And it got worse when Vikram Solanki lost his off stump to make it 56-3.

But the home side failed to press home their advantage, allowing Ali and Kervezee to settle, putting on 117 for the fourth wicket.

James Middlebrook then made the breakthrough, to get rid of Kervezee, before former Worcestershire all-rounder Hall removed Moeen, caught behind, and Cameron, leg before, in the space of five balls.

But, at 165-6, with the game suddenly in the balance again, Ben Cox and Shakib Al Hasan stopped the rot until a further rain shower completed the rescue act.

With just two games left, the extra three points leaves Worcestershire 13 points adrift of the top two, who are currently playing each other.

But Worcestershire can still gain promotion if they win their final two games against Middlesex at Lord's next week (7-10 September) and then at home to Division Two leaders Sussex (13-16 September).

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