Scotland prevail in a close game against Northamptonshire: Clydesdale Bank 40-Group B –Second innings recap
Northamptonshire had to chase down 224 runs for victory against Scotland in a match of the Clydesdale Bank 40 - Group B, at the Grange Cricket club Ground, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh in Scotland on Sunday, July 17, 2011.
The hosts’ innings was dominated by a brilliant batting performance by their opening batsman, Kyle Coetzer, who top scored the match with 122 runs.
The effort from the Scottish player was enough to guide his side to a 12-run victory in the end, as the Northamptonshire team was restricted to 211 for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 36 overs.
Northamptonshire’s first-drop, Niall O’Brien was in spectacular form and scored 81 runs for his team. His effort went in vain though, as he was unable to bat until the end of the innings.
Playing conditions were good for the batting team, as there was not much assistance for the bowlers in the pitch. There was some rain before the start of play, which shortened the game to 26 overs per side. However, it didn’t have any effect on the pitch
in the end.
The visitors would have hoped for a better start to their run chase, but lost one wicket early. Opening batsman, Ben Howgego was sent back to the pavilion after adding just 12 runs to the total.
Stephen Peters, who was leading the visitors, was unable to make most of the start he got to his innings and was sent back to the pavilion after contributing 21 runs to the total from 37 balls with the help of a couple of boundaries.
Seasoned campaigner, Alex Wakely didn’t have a good day with the bat, as he was dismissed after managing just half a dozen runs. This left the Northamptonshire team in a struggling position at 59 for the loss of three wickets.
However, the innings was held together by O’Brien and Rob White. The pair put together 101 runs for the fourth wicket partnership, guiding their side in a very comfortable position.
White got out after an impressive innings of 40 runs from 48 balls with the help of three boundaries. He was followed by Bilal Shafayat, who tried to be aggressive from the start of his innings.
The lower-order player got dismissed after adding just 11 runs to the total, but he didn’t waste too many balls, scoring his runs from just six deliveries with the help of one four and a six.
O’Brien’s wicket was the turning point of the game. He was batting tremendously well and could have won the match for his team. He was unfortunate to be run-out after collecting 81 runs from 75 deliveries, smashing six boundaries.
James Middlebrook scored an unbeaten 22 towards the end of the innings, but it wasn’t enough to win the match for Northamptonshire in the end.
Scotland’s Majid Haq picked up a couple of wickets in the match.
Tags: