Ricardo Vasconcelos’ unbeaten century for Northants secures draw with Yorkshire

Ricardo Vasconcelos hit a brilliant undefeated 129 to help Northamptonshire seal a draw against Yorkshire on a thrilling final day at Northampton.

Vasconcelos, who played for South Africa Under-19s before moving to England in 2018, ensured that Northants held off Yorkshire after being set an unlikely target of 326 to win. A career best four for 56 from occasional off-spinner Adam Lyth gave Yorkshire a strong chance of bowling Northants out within the 57 overs of play that remained in the final innings of the match, but Vasconcelos and number 10 Siddarth Kaul batted for six overs in tandem.

The draw extends Yorkshire’s abject start to the County Championship season. Despite enjoying the services of Joe Root and Harry Brook on occasion, Yorkshire have failed to win any of their first seven matches in Division Two, losing two and drawing five. The club are marooned in seventh place in Division Two, with 77 points – 32 shy of leaders Sussex. Since the start of 2022, Yorkshire have now won just four Championship matches out of 35, one of the poorest runs in the illustrious club’s history.

Earlier in the day, Yorkshire captain Shan Masood hit an undefeated 131 to lift the side to 264 for six in their second innings, setting up a declaration. While also scoring quickly, Vasconcelos managed the tail skilfully, seeking to maximise the amount of balls that he faced. Kaul faced just five deliveries in their half-hour batting together. The draw means Northants are fifth in Division Two, two places ahead of Yorkshire.

In Division One, Essex completed an innings victory over Kent. South African off-spinner Simon Harmer took four for 32 as Kent were bowled out for just 101 in their second innings at Canterbury to lose by an innings and 96 runs. Star seamer Sam Cook, who has been touted as a potential successor to James Anderson, did not bowl on the final day because of a niggle in his thigh.