Northants take victory as Bears suffer record defeat

Northants take victory as Bears suffer record defeat

Picture courtesy of Youtube, with thanks.

Warwickshire slipped to their heaviest ever List A defeat as they lost by 194 runs to Northants at Wantage Road. 

The Steelbacks were in complete control for virtually the whole match, with their score of 358-6 being built around four scores of fifty or more. Rob Keogh, who was presented with his county cap before play, top scored with 69 but Alex Wakely, Adam Rossington and Jason Holder supported him. 

Warwickshire never got close in the chase, having slipped to 45-4 after a lively opening spell from Blessing Muzarabani and Holder. They eventually succumbed for 164. 

Warwickshire’s decision to bowl first seemed justified when Josh Cobb was bowled by Henry Brookes first ball. Northants then enjoyed the upper hand of the opening ten overs, with the score advancing to 67 before Vascocnlos played on for 19. Richard Levi made a quick-fire 48 but he was Brookes’ third scalp of his opening spell leaving the home side 76-3. 

Steelbacks captain Wakely and Keogh steadied the ship with a partnership of 86 for the fourth wicket but Wakely was removed by his opposite number Jeetan Patel shortly after passing 50. 

Keogh was joined by Rossington and these two batted sensibly to ensure wickets were in hand for the final few overs of the innings. Keogh made 69 and Rossington 68 but both made way for West Indian captain Holder to finish the innings in style.

He struck an unbeaten 60 off 31 balls including back-to-back sixes to finish the innings as along with Luke Proctor, who was 24 not out, they took Northants to a total of 358-6 which was their highest score at home against a fellow county side in List A cricket.

Despite a flying start from Ed Pollock, Warwickshire lost three early wickets. Dominic Sibley fell to Muzarabani for 1; Holder then trapped Sam Hain LBW for 7 before Tim Ambrose fell for a painful 13-ball duck caught behind. 

Holder claimed the prize wicket of Pollock who made 36 from 27 balls but his dismissal left Warwickshire 45-4 in the 12th over.

Muzarabani’s opening spell was a hugely impressive 7-1-18-2 and the game was never in doubt from that stage. 

The Bears tried to rebuild through Will Rhodes and Liam Banks but the latter saw his off stump removed by Buck for 13.

A three wicket burst from Ben Sanderson ended any hopes of an unlikely Warwickshire revival as he removed Rhodes and Brookes in successive balls and Craig Miles for 13. 

Holder and Muzarabani then returned to close out the match with George Panayi the last man for 13. Warwickshire were all out for 164 in the 35th over of the innings. 

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