County are relegated as Somerset hold out

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.
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

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.