Zaib backs Northants to press for victory after edging ahead of Durham
03.09.26, 21:36 Updated 03.09.26, 21:36
Jeremy Blackmore and Ben Kosky
Saif Zaib is backing Northamptonshire to press hard for victory against Durham over the next two days.
Half-centuries by Zaib and James Sales gave Northamptonshire the edge in their bid to claw back ground on Rothesay County Championship Division Two leaders Durham in the race for promotion.
Sales top-scored with 69 at Wantage Road, while Zaib registered his third consecutive Championship 50 as their side – who began the match 40 points behind Durham – closed on 225 for seven, a slim advantage of 20 runs. Lewis McManus is unbeaten on 18 while Louis Kimber is 4 not out.
That followed a startling collapse by Durham, whose last seven wickets tumbled for just 48 as they were dismissed for 205 despite David Bedingham’s 81, with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal taking four for 36.
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Jeremy Blackmore is the founder and editor of The Steeler. Jeremy is a freelance cricket writer and Wantage Road regular. He has written extensively for a host of publications including The Cricketer, The Cricket Paper, Wisden Cricket Monthly and ESPNcricinfo. He also covers Northamptonshire for the ECB Reporters Network.
Ben Kosky