Newton - We deserved to get something

Rob Newton believed that Northamptonshire deserved to come out of their clash against Durham with something to show for their efforts.
Rob Newton made an unbeaten 48 as Northants hung on for a draw against DurhamRob Newton made an unbeaten 48 as Northants hung on for a draw against Durham
Rob Newton made an unbeaten 48 as Northants hung on for a draw against Durham

The middle order batsman was at the heart of the County’s escape as he made a stubborn unbeaten 48 in the total of 205-9 which was someway short of the 319 they had been set in a fraction over two sessions.

That doesn’t tell the entire story, however, as Newton and Muhammad Azharullah were forced to see out the final nine overs to claim a share of the points.

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And Newton, making his first senior appearance since damaging ankle ligaments last June, said: “We had to bat perfectly but once we lost those few early wickets it became a battle against time and fortunately we hung on.

“I really think we deserved the draw and it would’ve been hard on us if we lost the game. I don’t think we played any really poor cricket.

“We played good cricket for pretty much four days against the champions of the country.”

As for whether he thought they would get away with the result that transpired, Newton admitted to having a few doubts.

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He added: “I have to say my heart skipped when Moz (Maurice Chambers) went first ball.

“I was a little nervy at that point but once Azhar (Muhammad Azharullah) had faced 10 balls he never looked like getting out.

“We got the ends right as I was happier facing the spin and he was happier against the seam and he was playing it nicely.”

And he knows that is a taste of things to come at a level that is a good step up from what they had to deal with last year.

“I thought they bowled well and it showed us just how hard first division cricket is. For two sessions we had to fight as hard as we could to survive,” he said.

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