A 159 run partnership between Charlie Thurston and Adam Rossington destroyed Warwickshire’s hopes of a three day win. They scored 317/6 and took the lead to 90 ahead going into day 4.
Centurion from the previous day, Tim Bresnan, and Olly Hannon-Dalby got Warwickshire underway in pursuit of dismissing Northants for under 227. No reward came immediately for the pair, but OHD’s luck changed when Emilio Gay edged to first slip for 11.
Ben Curran and Ricardo Vasconcelos then began their partnership, settling things for Northants. This was not without some scares, as both were dropped – the first by Bresnan in the slips and the latter by Thomson at gully, which was a more difficult chance. The high impact partnership brought Northants to 100, as they put on 81 runs between them.
It was the captain’s touch for the Bears that succeeded, as Will Rhodes broke the partnership, trapping Curran lbw for 58. Vasconcelos carried on looking in good form going into lunch, with Northants trailing by 102 at that point.
The afternoon session started looking more positive for the hosts, who started to disrupt Northants, taking three wickets for 12 runs.
Alex Thomson got Vasconcelos, driving then caught in the slips for 42, before the work of Bresnan followed with 2 wickets in three balls. The first, Rob Keogh was caught by Rob Yates for 31, and the second was Zaib Saif who edged behind without scoring.
Those quick wickets brought Rossington and Thurston to the crease. The partnership took the game away from Warwickshire, as they put on a 91 run unbroken partnership going into tea. The pair saw the visitors through into the evening session where they continued to frustrate Warwickshire, giving Northants a lead and ensuring the Bears had to bat again.
Both batsmen passed the half-century mark, Thurston making his maiden first class 50 for Northants, and a Rossington half century following soon after. The partnership reached 150 from 46 overs.
They continued to play some excellent shots and grit out the overs, as they saw Northants past 300. The pair took the lead to 73 just as the new ball was taken by the Bears after 90 overs. Their partnership of 159 is the highest 6th wicket partnership for Northants against Warwickshire.
Eventually Bresnan got his reward and it was the big wicket of Thurston. The ex-Yorkshireman trapped him lbw for 96, breaking the 159 run partnership. Northants were leading by 80.
Rossington and Luke Procter saw out the rest of the day and Northants finished 90 ahead, on 317/6. The partnership definitely took the game away from the hosts, and proved a frustrating afternoon after the impact at the start of the afternoon session.
Warwickshire still will look to end with a win, it’ll just a bit later than planned.
