Northamptonshire’s Sales hopes hundred is not final farewell

The 35-year-old former club captain is out of contract and waiting to be told whether he will be offered a new deal for 2014.

But if today’s final day of the season at Wantage Road is to be his last for the County he would have said goodbye in fitting fashion.

He compiled a typically composed 110 as his side clocked up maximum batting bonus points and head off to Worcester next week with promotion to Division One almost within their grasp.

Sales, naturally, would like to be a part of things if they do make it to the top flight.

“I know nothing about what’s going on and won’t until after September 30 so I’m told,” he said.

“I am just playing, enjoying it and if it is to be my last season here then so be it.

“It could be my last innings but I would like to think it won’t be.

“I feel I’ve being doing pretty well.

“I’m averaging just under 50 and have got 900 Championship runs. I’ve got three hundreds and I’ve done pretty much what I can.

“I don’t know if I’m hoping (about getting a new deal).

“I would have thought they might know what was happening by now and I had done enough but obviously there are certain issues that still need sorting.

“There’s also a bit in my contract that if I get 1,000 runs then I get a new deal.

“I need another 110 - to be exact! - from the last game.

“I suppose they are also still waiting for that to see if it happens.”

The second half of the summer has definitely been more profitable for Sales who points some bigger totals down to a change of attitude.

“I’ve been in good form all year,” he continued.

“The unfortunate thing was I didn’t get a big score early on.

“I was playing nicely but perhaps just thinking about things too much.

“The second half of the season my mentality has been whatever happens, happens.

“There’s no point worrying about things and I’ve just gone out and played.

“I’ve scored the runs that I’ve felt I’ve deserved.”

Sales was also pleased to rack up the 29th first-class hundred of his career and play his part in edging Northamptonshire ever closer to their promotion goal.

“It’s always nice to get a hundred,” he added. “I’m very pleased with it.

“I was looking for a big one but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

“It was a case of doing a job out there.

“It was all about making sure we got the bonus points and I was just a bit annoyed I wasn’t out there to see it happen.

“I like getting hundreds but I like to then go on and make them big hundreds.

“This time I got a good ball and it wasn’t to happen.

“It wasn’t easy to score out there, they bowled well and had a defensive field so you only got singles unless you hit the ball really well.”