NORTHAMPTON (final day of four): Northamptonshire (8pts) drew with Gloucestershire (8)
THE difference between Gloucestershire’s appetite for one-day cricket and their approach to the four-day game has to be seen to be believed. They will no doubt mount a robust defence of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy against Worcestershire at Lord’s today but they were timid in the extreme as they settled for a draw against Northamptonshire.
David Sales, the Northamptonshire captain, who yesterday accepted a new, three-year contract, had shown himself to be an enterprising and unselfish leader by declaring when he was within 18 runs of his second century of the season and setting Gloucestershire a target of 290.
It should have provided ideal preparation for their one-day final but Gloucestershire, haunted by the fear of relegation, lost their nerve once Craig Spearman, their most likely match-winner, had holed out to Jason Brown. They scored 96 off the first 25 overs but only 64 off the next 37 as the match petered out.
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Their attitude was in stark contrast to that of Northamptonshire, who had struck out boldly in pursuit of their second championship victory of the season. Usman Afzaal and Sales took their fourth-wicket partnership to 141 with Afzaal completing his century from 190 balls, with ten fours, and Sales hitting two sixes and seven fours in his 82 off 93 balls.
Spearman took up the challenge on behalf of his side, with 69 off 81 balls, including a six and seven fours, before Mike Hussey helped to keep his former county at bay with an unbeaten 49.