Zaib points to 'missed chances' over season as Northants fail in promotion bid

The team have been in the hunt for a top two finish all season, and in the last month of the summer it came down to a two-horse race between Northants and Kent.

The County went into the final game of the season against Middlesex needing a win to stand a chance of pipping Kent to the promotion post.

But a disastrous first morning was to prove very costly as Northants were rolled over for just 103 in 37 overs, and from there, with no batting bonus points, they were in big trouble.

The team fought as hard as they could, and Zaib hit a superb 110 as the County made 285 all out in their second innings, which did at least set Middlesex 134 to win.

And although the home side suffered an early scare as they were reduced to 12 for two when Harry Conway removed both openers, they recovered to eventually ease to 134 for three and complete a seven-wicket win.

That confirmed Northants could not catch Kent and will finish third in the table, although with the south east county on course to beat Gloucestershire in their final game, even a win would not have been enough for Darren Lehmann's side.

“It’s a disappointing end to our season," admitted Zaib.

"We’ve played good cricket throughout the whole year and a few missed chances in different games might have cost us.

“I thought we bowled pretty well in the second innings, with a few chances here and there and a few play and misses.

"It’s just we didn’t have enough on the board – if we had set them 200 it might have been squeaky bum time for them."

The obvious highlight of the day for Northants was Zaib reaching his century at Lord's, a milestone moment to for any cricketer.

“It was a pretty special feeling," said Zaib. "But it would have been nicer in a winning cause.

“I wasn’t really thinking I’d get there, to be honest.

"I’d put myself in a nice position on Friday night and went a little bit earlier than I’d intended to, trying to get a few extra runs this morning."

Zaib was able to get over the line thanks to number 11 batter Yuzi Chahal, who lasted 14 balls for his four not out.

The Indian is now renowned for his batting, but Zaib said: "Every time I’ve batted with Yuzi, he’s actually done pretty well – there must be something in me batting with him!"

The match was a final Championship appearance for the club for Chahal after three years, with Nathan McSweeney and Harry Conway both signed on for the whole of next summer.

"It’s been an absolute pleasure playing alongside him in first-class cricket," admitted Zaib.

Quotes courtesy of Ben Kosky