Keogh stars as County recover from poor start

Rob Keogh hit his maiden first-class century against Hampshire

Keogh’s previous top score in six first-class matches was a modest 44, but his perfectly-paced innings after Hampshire had dominated the first session on day one made a mockery of that.

Keogh came into the Northamptonshire line-up to replace the injured Ben Duckett, and he responded in the right manner in big stands alongside Andrew Hall and Matt Spriegel.

Second-placed Northamptonshire knew they were in for a tough examination after Stephen Peters had lost the toss under overcast skies and in conditions helpful to the Hampshire seamers.

Left-armer James Tomlinson duly struck the first blow by having Peters caught at first slip and then David Balcombe knocked James Middlebrook’s off stump out of the ground with the score at 10.

Keogh came to the crease at 24-3 when Alex Wakeley was caught at the wicket off Balcombe and that worsened to 32-4 when David Sales was deceived by some extra bounce from Matt Coles.

But as the sun came out, Hampshire lost their way and Keogh and Hall began the repair process in a major partnership of 120 for the fifth wicket in 34 overs, 21-year-old Keogh quickly overtaking his previous best.

Hampshire, who were without Michael Carberry and Danny Briggs, both on international duty, called up triallist Ruel Brathwaite and it was the Barbados-born pace bowler who broke the stand.

Hall, who made 48, pulled a short delivery to deep square leg where Michael Roberts held a tumbling catch, running forward.

Steven Crook lifted Brathwaite for six to get off the mark but had not added to his total when he chased a wide delivery down the leg side from the same bowler and Michael Bates, restored to the Hampshire wicketkeeping role, held a catch away to his left.

That put Northamptonshire, a team in urgent need of bonus points to close the widening gap on Division Two leaders Lancashire, on 162-6.

Keogh was then joined by Spriegel and together they took the initiative away from Hampshire in an unbroken stand of 161 for the seventh wicket, with former Surrey man Spriegel playing a full part.

Keogh reached his century with a single off Neil McKenzie’s occasional spin and by the close the visitors’ recovery was looking impressive.

They ended the first day at 323-6 from 96 overs with Keogh having faced 280 balls and struck 23 fours. Spreigel, no less punishing once they came together, was 61 not out with six boundaries to leave Hampshire regretting not being able to make the most of a promising start.