NORTHAMPTON

(third day of four; Glamorgan won toss)

Lunch

Northants (327-5) lead Glamorgan (287) by 40 runs.

Northamptonshire continued to strengthen their hold on this match following a profitable morning session, when they lost just the one wicket, of Niall O’Brien. The Irishman fell shortly before lunch for 168 from 303 balls, with 20 fours and a six, when he went down the pitch to Dean Cosker and was stumped.

That ended a fourth-wicket stand of 211 in 70 overs with Lance Klusener. The former South Africa all-rounder went into lunch just five short of his own hundred, having been dropped twice on the second day when 14 and 62. Andrew Hall was unbeaten on seven when lunch was taken with the home side in a strong position on a pitch that is expected to turn more and more over the last five sessions.

Tea

Northants (426-7) lead Glamorgan by 139 runs

Northamptonshire enjoyed an excellent afternoon session, stretching their lead to dangerous proportions on a pitch offering increasing turn and bounce, particularly out of the rough. Lance Klusener led the way, reaching his 150 on the stroke of tea off 312 balls with 19 fours.

Andrew Hall gave him useful support in a sixth wicket stand of 46 in 14 overs until he was caught behind off Alex Wharf. Johan Van Der Wath chipped in with a quick fire 14 before he was also caught behind, this time off Jason Gillespie. Klusener, who had completed his century off 227 balls in the same over that he struck Dean Cosker for four fours, received stolid support from Monty Panesar, who eked out an unbeaten 17 from 63 balls.

At tea, Klusener had reached 153 not out.

Close

Glamorgan (287&28-1) need another 173 to make Northants (488-7 declared) bat again

Klusener completed a maiden double hundred from 345 balls to give Northamptonshire, whom he is captaining for the first time, a potentially match-winning lead of 201.

The former South Africa all-rounder’s unbroken eighth-wicket partnership with Monty Panesar was eventually worth 106 in 30 overs when Klusener declared the innings shortly after 5pm. Panesar was left unbeaten with 30 from 113 balls. It was Klusener’s second hundred of the season in the LV County Championship, and together with his nine fifties, he has become the first Northamptonshire player this season to go past 1,000 runs in championship cricket.

Left with an awkward period to negotiate before the close of play, Glamorgan lost a wicket in the fifth over when Gareth Rees was caught at mid-on off Johan Van der Wath. In the next over Panesar was introduced into the attack to try to exploit any turn in the pitch, but a couple of overs later at 5.40pm, the light had deteriorated sufficiently for the umpires to bring the players off. It did not improve sufficiently for play to be able to resume. The Welsh county now face a difficult last day trying to save the match on a turning pitch.

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