County are relegated as Somerset hold out

Andrew Hall picked up the wicket of Nick Compton on a frustrating day for the CountyAndrew Hall picked up the wicket of Nick Compton on a frustrating day for the County
Andrew Hall picked up the wicket of Nick Compton on a frustrating day for the County
Northamptonshire will be playing their cricket in Division Two of the LV= County Championship next season after their relegation from the top flight was confirmed.

The 12 points collected from their draw with Somerset at Taunton leaves the County 86 points adrift of Durham with three games remaining and a maximum of 72 tavailable to be collected.

As it turned out, not even a victory in the south west would’ve saved them as Durham’s defeat of Nottinghamshire and Middlesex’s draw with Warwickshire moved those two sides out of any potential danger.

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Resuming on 38-0, 96 runs adrift, the home side batted cautiously throughout the final day to deny the visitors what would’ve been a first win of the season.

Johann Myburgh led the resistance with a 249-ball 87 and he was lent decent support by Tom Abell who contributed 36 to a third-wicket stand of 76.

David Willey, who made the initial breakthrough in the morning session when he trapped Marcus Trescothick in front, was again the pick of the attack with 3-47 from 22 frugal overs but only Andrew Hall and Rob Keogh, who dismissed James Hildreth with his first delivery, joined in on the wicket-taking.

When play was called to a halt, Somerset had reached 235-6 from 97 overs.

Next up for Northamptonshire is a trip to third place Warwickshire on Tuesday.

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