Stone happy with first team return

Olly Stone took the last four Lancashire wickets on day three at the County Ground

The Northamptonshire all-rounder, drafted into the side to replace Maurice Chambers, has taken 6-90 in the clash with Lancashire and chipped in with some important lower order runs in the first innings.

And despite injuring a finger in the field which could rule him out for a couple of weeks, Stone has been satisfied with his efforts.

He said: “I struggled a bit early on for some rhythm but once I found that it came out nicely.

“I think it’s gone well and I hope I’ll be available for the Nottinghamshire game.”

As for his second innings performance which saw him pick up four wickets in a 12-ball spell on the third afternoon, he commented: “Azhar got the early breakthrough which we were after and the pair of us built some good pressure after that and I was able to pick up some good wickets.

“The new ball has been key on this wicket and even with the old ball there has been enough movement to give you chances which happened today.”

As for how the final morning, which will start with the County needing 95 runs to win with five wickets remaining, will pan out, Stne is confident the eventual outcome will be a home win.

“The first 20 minutes or so will tell which way the game is going to go,” he said.

“The lads played really well to get us into this position and hopefully we’ll have enough to get over the line.”