Northamptonshire 311 for 3 (Homosexual 165*) vs Middlesex
Homosexual, 24 on Sunday, celebrated his birthday early, putting his highest first-class rating off 272 balls with 17 boundaries.
Middlesex’s bowlers, who had been punished after inserting Glamorgan at Lord’s final week, should have had a way of déjà vu however caught diligently to their activity on a largely docile wicket, deploying the quick ball because the day wore on in a bid to make inroads with the Kookaburra ball.
That they had trigger to have a good time themselves when Ryan Higgins eliminated opener Jason Broad lbw within the second over of the day. However the subsequent breakthrough wouldn’t come till after tea as Procter and Homosexual took management.
As soon as Procter fell to spinner Josh de Caires, Homosexual shared an 86-run stand with Karun Nair (41) earlier than the Indian batter performed on to a supply that jagged again from Toby Roland-Jones.
The day was additionally memorable in that Northamptonshire secured their first residence batting factors of 2024 – a feat they didn’t obtain till 26 September final yr.
Procter picked up the place he left off after making 92 towards Sussex. He was strong in defence, however performed some crisp attacking pictures through the morning, driving reverse quantity Roland-Jones down the bottom and putting Tom Helm by way of sq. for 4.
Homosexual at instances regarded weak exterior off-stump early on, taking part in and lacking towards the seamers after they discovered some motion. However he grew in fluency, taking part in some enticing clips off his legs, taking up the quick ball, and driving firmly down the bottom. A spotlight of the morning session was an aesthetic drive for 4 by way of the covers off Helm.
The pair had taken Northamptonshire to 106 for one at lunch and it appeared as if they might proceed scoring on the identical tempo after the break as Homosexual pulled Helm disdainfully by way of midwicket.
Scoring slowed considerably although, with simply 24 runs coming within the first hour of the afternoon. Procter grew becalmed within the forties, finally posting his half-century off 126 balls.
As Middlesex banged the ball in brief, Roland-Jones struck Procter underneath the armpit, however in any other case the Northamptonshire captain was largely comfortable to duck out of the way in which. Homosexual took a extra attacking method, his pull pictures had been principally nicely managed, though at instances he stored the leg-side fielders .
The scoring price elevated as tea approached, Procter taking full benefit of a full toss from de Caires, smiting it over midwicket for the primary six of the innings.
Homosexual then reached three figures in model by rocking again and slashing Higgins by way of level for his ninth boundary.
After the interval, Procter put one other de Caires full toss away to the ropes, however when he attacked the spinner’s subsequent over, he may solely pick Helm at mid on to go away Northamptonshire on 190 for 2. He had confronted 194 balls and hit six fours and one six.
Karun Nair minimize de Caires behind sq. for 4 however was troubled by a few well-directed quick balls from Helm, fending one away which fell safely between a gaggle of advancing shut catchers. However he discovered the sweep and reverse sweep worthwhile as he took consecutive boundaries off de Caires and shortly settled into the groove.
Homosexual in the meantime continued on his method, backing away to slice Helm by way of the covers and utilizing his ft to de Caires to drive him by way of the identical space.
With Northamptonshire approaching 250, Middlesex took the brand new ball. Ethan Bamber and Roland-Jones discovered useful motion off the seam, however Homosexual regarded untroubled, taking part in an beautiful shot off his legs and a wonderful cowl drive shortly earlier than stumps.
