Keith Barker proves primary tormentor on powerful day for Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire 56 (Barker 4-13) and 50 for two (Whiteman 25*, Turner 1-10, Barker 1-20) f/o path Hampshire 367 (Vince 95, Dawson 63, White 4-80) by 261 runs

Northamptonshire’s batting woes continued as they had been bowled out for 56 – the bottom whole within the Ageas Bowl’s 22-year historical past throughout their LV= County Championship match in opposition to Hampshire.

Only Saif Zaib managed to succeed in double figures – scoring 29 – with 4 of his team-mates falling for geese as they scored one run fewer than Hampshire’s 57 in opposition to Kent on the bottom final season.

It meant they gave up a 311-run first-innings deficit, after Hampshire had earlier been bowled out for 367, with an additional two wickets falling earlier than the shut – the rating 50 for two and Hampshire’s lead 261.

Northamptonshire exceeded many expectations with their sixth-placed end within the Championship final season – with Luke Procter, Emilio Gay, and Rob Keogh all scoring in extra of 800 runs. So far this yr, there was only a solitary batting level in 5 matches and totals of 72, 63, and now 56. They are additionally the one aspect to not have a batter make 300 runs but this season – though that’s considerably mitigated by Gay and Procter’s missed video games by way of damage.

Unsurprisingly that modest batting file has solely translated to a single victory. Their makes an attempt to enhance that began horrendously as Hassan Azad was barbequed by Gay and run out with out going through a ball within the first over – Mason Crane’s sensible direct hit at level splattering the stumps.

No phrases had been spoken as Azad trudged off, whereas Gay would frenetically go on to get dropped at second slip earlier than taking over an Abbas bouncer, solely to stay it straight down deep sq. leg Fletcha Middleton’s throat. Sam Whiteman would additionally fall lbw to Barker as Northamptonshire reached lunch on 18 for 3.

That 11-over stint noticed the easiest of left-armer Barker. His six overs returned 1 for 4 and included just one scoring shot – off the penultimate ball of the session.

Barker returned from lunch hungry for wickets and had Ricardo Vasconcelos lbw when strolling throughout his stumps. The former Warwickshire man then produced a double-wicket maiden – his seventh maiden in 12 overs – the place he discovered Keogh pushing to 3rd slip and James Sales crushed for tempo.

Tom Taylor was caught low at fourth slip off Abbas and Jordan Buckingham edged Holland to second slip to proceed the collapse.

Zaib had replicated the regular Hampshire batting strategy from the primary day, the place the pitch had appeared sluggish and persistence was wanted to select the moments to attain. With companions operating out he superior and slapped to cowl.

Hampshire’s bowling assault is with out Kyle Abbott and James Fuller for this match – resulting from knee hassle and sickness – it meant Championship debutant John Turner and leg-spinner Crane had been promoted into the group. Turner bowled with respectable tempo in his first 3.2 overs earlier than he ended the sorry Northamptonshire innings by knocking again Jack White’s off stump.

It was Northamptonshire’s second-lowest whole of the twenty first century and lowest ever away to Hampshire.

Rain knocked 27 off the day, however the belated begin to the second innings noticed Gay as soon as once more put down at second slip and Azam full a same-day pair – though this time not less than confronted seven balls earlier than Barker pinned him lbw.

Gay and Whiteman confirmed some solidity earlier than Turner entered the assault and had the previous lbw to finish a depressing day for the guests.

White, who ended up with figures of 4 for 80, had Holland lbw and Turner caught brilliantly at second slip by Gay in successive balls. The innings was rounded up when Abbas edged Taylor to first slip.