Small targets are the key for Keogh

A step by step approach is the way forward for Northamptonshire on the final day against Yorkshire.
Adam Lyth and Alex Lees pile on the runs during their opening stand of 375Adam Lyth and Alex Lees pile on the runs during their opening stand of 375
Adam Lyth and Alex Lees pile on the runs during their opening stand of 375

That’s the view of batsman Rob Keogh who will resume in the morning alongside Matt Spriegel with the County 66-3 in pursuit of a target of 432.

It was a chastening day for the home side as they watched Yorskhire pile up a gargantuan 546-3 in their second innings before being reduced to 32-3.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Keogh and Spriegel repaired some of the damage before the close and the former believes a narrow focus is the only way they can approach what will be a difficult battle to survive.

He said: “I think we’ve got to take it ball by ball because if we start looking too far ahead it will make it more difficult.

“Every ball on its merits has to be the way to go if we want to work our way through the day.”

That the County have found themselves in such a precarious position can be attricuted to the excellence of the Yorkshire top order and the effect of spending a long time in the field, factors that Keogh acknowledged.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “The pitch has changed from the first day where we bowled really well to get them out for 130-odd and it was a tough day for the bowlers.

“All credit to (Adam) Lyth and (Alex) Lees, I thought they played really well and there weren’t many opportunities for us.

“Everyone’s been out in the field slugging around and their bowlers are fresh after sitting down for a day and a half.

“They’re going to be pumped with a 400 lead and everyone knows they’re going to come hard and it was a really tough session for us.”