Northamptonshire pull off run chase to beat Middlesex, Gloucestershire and Derbyshire settle for draw

thecricketer

thecricketer|27-06-2025

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: There were centuries for Luke Procter and James Sales as Northamptonshire took down 311 in just over two sessions to beat Middlesex

Bristol (day four of four): Gloucestershire 187 & 526-6 dec, Derbyshire 398 & 296-8 - Match drawn

Harry Came fell nine runs short of a second century in the match as Derbyshire were forced to settle for a draw in an exciting finish to their County Championship Division Two match with Gloucestershire at Bristol.

The hosts declared their second innings at lunch, having progressed from an overnight 364 for 3 to 526 for 6. Graeme van Buuren added 70 to his score before being dismissed for 175, while James Bracey hit a brisk 43.

That set Derbyshire a victory target of 316 in a minimum of 67 overs. Came and Caleb Jewell put together an opening stand of 177 in just 31.3 overs before Jewell fell for 83, and Came for 91 off 118 balls.

But Gloucestershire refused to buckle and left-arm spinner van Buuren claimed 4 for 64 to give his side a chance before Anuj Dal (36 not out) and Ben Aitchison batted out for a draw at 296 for 8. 

Northampton (day four of four): Middlesex 413 & 332-8Northamptonshire 435 & 313-6- Northamptonshire win by four wickets

Luke Procter and James Sales both hit brilliant centuries to crown a remarkable Northamptonshire run chase against Middlesex as they reached their 311-run target in just over two sessions with 10 overs to spare at Wantage Road.

It took Northamptonshire to their second Rothesay County Championship win of the season by five wickets and keeps their hopes of promotion alive.

Procter played a true captain's innings of 107, his second ton of the campaign in a third wicket partnership of 156 in 26.4 overs with Sales, who picked up the mantle when his captain fell, going on to make 108.

Middlesex skipper Toby Roland-Jones (2 for 48) was left to rue his declaration calculations despite the visitors adding another 117 runs for the loss of five wickets in the morning session, Max Holden making 54 and Ryan Higgins a quickfire 44.

With Roland-Jones calling time on 332 for 8, Calvin Harrison finished with figures of 4 for 107, while Liam Guthrie (2 for 60) took a further wicket to register a career best match haul of nine for 154.

It left Northamptonshire with 73 overs to reach their target at 4.2 runs per over, a rate they matched and then exceeded as the day wore on. Middlesex will also reflect on their fielding performance with Procter given three lives off dropped catches on 12, 27 and 88.

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