Northamptonshire v Warwickshire, day three: Hain century puts Bears in controlWarwickshire declare on 602-9 after teenager Sam Hain becomes youngest Bears player to score a first-class century with 134 from 284 ballsJun 17, 2014 18:42 By Brian Halford Sam Hain left the first of what could be many imprints on cricket’s record books when he became the youngest player to score a first-class century for Warwickshire.When Hain glanced Northamptonshire medium-pacer Steven Crook to the fine-leg fence he lifted his bat to celebrate a ton at the tender age of 18 years and 336 days.His innings (134, 284 balls, 14 fours, one six), constructed on rock-solid technique and endless patience, surpassed the previous youngest Bears century-maker Ian Bell.Bell scored his maiden ton, against Oxford University at The Parks in 2001, aged 19 years, 46 days. Tuesday may just be the start of a career-long pursuit of Bell by Hain through those record-books.He took a very different route to his maiden ton than Bell did - via Hong Kong and Australia rather than Dunchurch and the Colts Ground at Edgbaston. But the sort of mighty career enjoyed by the latter potentially awaits the former - subject to the usual myriad factors including not least, of course, luck.Hain’s fine innings drained the life from the home bowlers before the middle and lower order danced all over the corpse to lift Warwickshire to 602 for nine - their highest total against Northamptonshire.After Chris Woakes nipped out three quick wickets when the home side embarked on the pursuit of 290 to avoid an innings defeat, the youngster’s work seems set to be in a winning cause. Northants closed on 51 for three, still 239 behind.Earlier, Rikki Clarke and Woakes batted fluently before the latter’s departure led to a spot of batting carnage. Keith Barker (102, 111 balls) and Jeetan Patel (34, 35) thrashed 86 in 11.2 overs as the home fielders wilted in the sun.Even when Patel fell, Northants’ suffering was not over. Barker was on 64 and number 11 Chris Wright was determined to see his new-ball partner through to a century. He did so with the assistance of captain Jim Troughton who declined to declare at tea with Barker on 97.The left-hander biffed the second ball after tea for four to trigger the declaration after which Woakes unfurled a spot-on new-ball burst of 5-1-11-3.Unsurprisingly after 160 overs in the field, an opener soon fell when Stephen Peters was caught in the gully by Laurie Evans.Richard Keogh gloved down the leg-side and Richard Keogh sliced to William Porterfield at second slip. Only a rearguard action of spectacular scale can save Northamptonshire on Wednesday.
Northants v Warwickshire: Bears win by innings at Wantage RoadWarwickshire 602-9 dec beat Northants 312 & 185 by an innings and 105 runs Warwickshire 23pts, Northants 4pts Warwickshire completed their third County Championship win of the season, comfortably beating Division One backmarkers Northants by an innings and 105 runs at Wantage Road.Resuming on 51-3, Northants faced a tall order saving the game.But, once opener James Middlebrook went for 50, the first of three wickets for Jeetan Patel, Northants were in peril. Chris Woakes got a fourth wicket, while Rikki Clarke claimed two victims as Northants were bowled out for 185.Matt Spriegel (42) offered resistance for the seventh wicket with Andrew Hall (25), but it could not prevent Northants' sixth defeat in seven Championship matches, leaving them already 40 points short of safety.Fifth-placed Warwickshire, whose next assignment is a home game with fourth-placed Yorkshire at Edgbaston, starting on Sunday, trail leaders Nottinghamshire, over whom they have a game in hand, by just 16 points. BBC WM's Mike Taylor: "Warwickshire bowled with considerable aggression to winkle out Northants well before tea."Chris Woakes and Rikki Clarke took turns to bowl hostile spells from the Football Stand End but, though there was plenty of short bowling, it was well directed."Woakes took one wicket today, to finish with eight in the match, and Clarke two, but they contributed to wickets falling at the other end as pressure built."The influence of the returning captain Jim Troughton was also manifest in attacking, unorthodox field-placings, and the catching was sharp. A vigorous performance, and a handsome win."
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Topic: Bears/Pears Cricket Thread 2014 (Read 176284 times)
