Was Sales’ double century a final hurrah?

The Northamptonshire number three made an unbeaten 255 at the County Ground - the third highest score of his career - as Gloucestershire were subjected to a second day of hard toil with the ball.

And after a few months of struggle, in the scores department if not the technical, which has seen the veteran batsman not even reach 50 in any cricket, Sales produced a vintage performance as the County took total control of the LV= County Championship clash.

Speculation has been rife with regard to Sales’, who is out of contract at the end of the season, future and he offered a none too subtle hint that this could be his final year as a professional.

He added: “I’m out of contract but that will take care of itself, that is if I continue playing but it’s nice to go out and score with no pressure on me.

“I’ve had 19 good years and it might be time for the next chapter in my career.”

As for his double century, Sales said that his return to form was only “a matter of time.”

He continued: “Every innings is different but it was very enjoyable to go out and play the way I did, and be able to kick on with the total and put them back in tonight so everything went to plan both from a personal point of view and a team point of view.

“I’ve been pretty much playing like that all year but haven’t been able to get a score. I knew that it was a matter of time and it helps when the wicket’s a flat one.

“You’ve still got to go out there and get them and everything went perfectly yesterday with striking the ball and hitting the gaps.”