Northants Triumph over VI Sharks in Incredible Run Chase

On Saturday 4th July Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired XI welcomed Northamptonshire Steelbacks to the Blackstone Academy Ground for their BCEW National League Division 1 clash. Northants won the toss and asked the Sharks to have a bat.

The decision looked a good one after both openers had been dismissed with the score 3-2. This brought together Si Ledwith playing his 150th game for the Sharks and skipper Dan Field, together they put on a brutal 212 stand for the third wicket before Si was cruelly run out with his score on 95 from just 67 balls including 16 x fours. A straight drive from Dan was deflected by the bowler onto the stumps and Si's runner was out of his ground backing up. Dan then looked to push the score on and his innings closed on 125 not out from just 60 balls, 14 x fours and 3 x sixes underlining what a powerful hitting display it had been. The Sharks declared on 263-3 after just 21 overs to give them 39 to bowl Northants out in.

Northants innings was an incredible spectacle as England's David Howells carried his bat for an astounding 186 not out. At the other end, the Sharks chipped away with Dave Daniels 3-53 the pick of the bowlers. Asif Ali’s 27, was the only other double figure score for the Northants batters.

When the Sharks total was overhauled in the 29th over, Howells' innings of 186 not out had been compiled off just 96 balls including 24 x fours and 4 x sixes.

It was an incredible innings and leaves the BCEW National League - Division 1 table looking very tight with all four teams still having a realistic chance of winning the league or facing relegation. View the full scorecard from the match here.

Report courtesy of Ian 'Tiny' Morris (Club Secretary)