Sanderson and Conway take early wickets but Middlesex fight back against Northamptonshire
17.04.26, 22:12 Updated 17.04.26, 22:12
Jeremy Blackmore
Zafar Gohar and Joe Cracknell both hit unbeaten sixties in an enterprising seventh wicket stand of 120 to prevent Middlesex from being bowled out cheaply on day one of this Rothesay County Championship encounter at Wantage Road.
The pair came together with their side in trouble at 164 for six and frustrated Northamptonshire’s bowlers for 32 overs either side of tea. Former Pakistan international Zafar, playing his 100th first-class game, hit 62, his highest innings for the Seaxes, while Cracknell top scored with 66. They had taken the total to 284 for six from 73 overs when bad light stopped play early at 5pm.
Middlesex were in trouble early as Northamptonshire opening bowlers Ben Sanderson (3-49) and Harry Conway (2-63) took early wickets to reduce the visitors to 20 for three. Ben Geddes fought back though with a fluent 65, putting on a quickfire 85 stand with skipper Leus du Plooy who struck 51.
Sanderson then had both caught in the slips giving the hosts hope they could finish off Middlesex cheaply but Zafar and Cracknell had other ideas.
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