logo
Northants and Glos draw as rain ends victory hopes

Northants and Glos draw as rain ends victory hopes

BBC News26-05-2025

Rothesay County Championship Division Two, County Ground, Northampton (day four)Northamptonshire 469 & 259-6: Sales 70, Zaib 56; Bailey 3-55, Akhter 2-31Gloucestershire 379-8 dec & 214-6: Hammond 80, Bancroft 60; Conway 2-33Northants (5 pts) drew with Glos (5 pts)Match scorecard
Rain put paid to the prospect of an exciting finish at Wantage Road as Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire were forced to settle for a draw in the County Championship.The Division Two contest had been nicely poised when the weather intervened, with Gloucestershire on 214-6, needing another 136 from a minimum of 24.2 overs.Northamptonshire had set their opponents a target of exactly 350 after rattling up another 101 from the first 12 overs of the day to declare on 259-6, built around bristling knocks of 70 and 58, respectively, from James Sales and Saif Zaib.Miles Hammond threatened to spearhead a successful Gloucestershire charge with his innings of 80, while Cameron Bancroft also posted his second half-century of the game before the home side fought back.Having already shared a century partnership in the first innings, Sales and Zaib were soon speeding towards another in the morning as they extended Northamptonshire's overnight 248-run lead.Sales quickly added the single needed for his second 50 of the match, while it was Zaib who really set the tone, banging two boundaries off the back foot and lifting Tom Price over the top for six.The left-hander followed his partner to a half-century, from 58 balls, but perished hooking Archie Bailey (3-55) down the throat of deep midwicket – and Sales departed later in the same over, losing his middle stump attempting to ramp.However, Lewis McManus and George Bartlett continued to throw the bat as they added another 44 runs, both belting Graeme van Buuren for leg-side sixes to lift their side's lead to 349 and trigger the declaration.Gloucestershire began their chase solidly, scoring at around three-and-a-half an over, but lost two wickets prior to lunch, with Liam Guthrie moving one away from Ben Charlesworth to take the edge.Calvin Harrison did well to scoop up a chance at second slip to dismiss Ollie Price, and the home side might also have removed Hammond without scoring, with a top-edged sweep off the spinner looping up but falling to safety.Hammond was swiftly into his stride after the interval, dancing down the track to slam Harrison into the car park, and belting Luke Procter for successive cover boundaries as he overtook Bancroft en route to his fourth half-century of the season.A swept four off Harrison took Hammond to that landmark from 56 balls, with Bancroft following suit in the next over and, aside from an appeal against Hammond for obstructing the field – rejected by the umpires – the Gloucestershire pair looked comfortable.Having matched his first-innings score exactly, the captain attempted to hook Guthrie and swiped through to McManus – but Hammond continued to pile on runs, cutting and pulling with assurance.Yet Northamptonshire's decision to introduce Bartlett's occasional off-breaks paid dividends as he claimed his maiden first-class wicket on the stroke of tea, trapping Hammond lbw with the visitors just under halfway to their target.Bartlett made way for Harrison, who played a key role in securing two further wickets as he tempted Cameron Green to drive to short cover, and then sprang to take a thick edge at slip off James Bracey.But just as Bracey's replacement Tom Price made his way out to the middle, the rain arrived and the covers were laid in place, stifling any chance of a positive result.ECB Reporters' Network supported by Rothesay

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thomas Tuchel won't panic after England suffer shock loss to Senegal
Thomas Tuchel won't panic after England suffer shock loss to Senegal

Leader Live

time32 minutes ago

  • Leader Live

Thomas Tuchel won't panic after England suffer shock loss to Senegal

Among the favourites for glory in North America, the Euro 2024 runners-up received a wake-up call as the German head coach's honeymoon period came to a crashing end at the City Ground. England were booed off for the second time in four days as Saturday's stultifying 1-0 qualification win against minnows Andorra was followed by a first ever loss to African opposition on Tuesday evening. Harry Kane's early goal was cancelled out when Ismaila Sarr capitalised on poor defending in Nottingham, where Habib Diarra gave Senegal a deserved lead that substitute Jude Bellingham looked to have cancelled out late on. But the equaliser was ruled out as Levi Colwill was adjudged to have handled in the build-up and second-half introduction Cheikh Sabaly added gloss just one year and a day until the World Cup gets under way. Asked if they key message now is not to panic, England head coach Tuchel said: 'Yes, 100 per cent. We lost a test (friendly) match so there is no need to panic. 'We have (played) three qualification games, we have nine points and not conceded. We will be competitive in September, and we will go for two more victories – 100 per cent we will. 'We know more now, we are smarter. It's tough at the moment. I am the first one to dislike and hate losses like nothing else. 'But it's not next week. We don't go next week to the World Cup, we go in one year. 'I think by nature it will get more competitive in the nomination process and in the demands for the players to be nominated and to be with us in September, October and November because of the density, because we enter then a World Cup season. 'I think this comes by nature and from there we go.' England's performances this month have provided more questions than answers, including whether the weight of the shirt – something predecessor Gareth Southgate tried so hard to remove – was becoming an issue again. 'Not so sure what it means, this 'weight of the shirt',' Tuchel said. 'Expectations come naturally with results and the success that Gareth had with the group and with England. 'I think it was regular in quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals. It comes with it. 'You feel how opponents approach matches against us, what it means to beat us and to compete with us. I heard it because my changing room was next to the dressing room of Senegal. 'I just asked myself 'would we have celebrated in the same manner?' And I ask myself 'would I have been the first in the dressing room screaming and knocking my fist on some boxes?' 'Would the players then have joined or just said 'what's wrong with the gaffer? It is just a friendly match, he needs to calm down'. 'OK, I exaggerate a little bit but I include myself. I don't think my players would be so happy and so excited about it, and not because they are not, but maybe because they demand it from themselves. 'Maybe the latest history brings with it that they think everything is normal – we need to win, we need to win in style and we need to win comfortably, we need to beat everyone and it needs to look easy, we need to be exciting and everything mixed together feels a little bit like it holds us down because I see the smile, I see the liveliness in training. 'I tell you pretty much all the time that I am excited by what I see and I have a strong belief in what we can do. But we miss at the moment the translation to the pitch.'

Thomas Tuchel won't panic after England suffer shock loss to Senegal
Thomas Tuchel won't panic after England suffer shock loss to Senegal

Rhyl Journal

time32 minutes ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Thomas Tuchel won't panic after England suffer shock loss to Senegal

Among the favourites for glory in North America, the Euro 2024 runners-up received a wake-up call as the German head coach's honeymoon period came to a crashing end at the City Ground. England were booed off for the second time in four days as Saturday's stultifying 1-0 qualification win against minnows Andorra was followed by a first ever loss to African opposition on Tuesday evening. Harry Kane's early goal was cancelled out when Ismaila Sarr capitalised on poor defending in Nottingham, where Habib Diarra gave Senegal a deserved lead that substitute Jude Bellingham looked to have cancelled out late on. But the equaliser was ruled out as Levi Colwill was adjudged to have handled in the build-up and second-half introduction Cheikh Sabaly added gloss just one year and a day until the World Cup gets under way. Asked if they key message now is not to panic, England head coach Tuchel said: 'Yes, 100 per cent. We lost a test (friendly) match so there is no need to panic. 'We have (played) three qualification games, we have nine points and not conceded. We will be competitive in September, and we will go for two more victories – 100 per cent we will. 'We know more now, we are smarter. It's tough at the moment. I am the first one to dislike and hate losses like nothing else. 'But it's not next week. We don't go next week to the World Cup, we go in one year. 'I think by nature it will get more competitive in the nomination process and in the demands for the players to be nominated and to be with us in September, October and November because of the density, because we enter then a World Cup season. 'I think this comes by nature and from there we go.' England's performances this month have provided more questions than answers, including whether the weight of the shirt – something predecessor Gareth Southgate tried so hard to remove – was becoming an issue again. 'Not so sure what it means, this 'weight of the shirt',' Tuchel said. 'Expectations come naturally with results and the success that Gareth had with the group and with England. 'I think it was regular in quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals. It comes with it. 'You feel how opponents approach matches against us, what it means to beat us and to compete with us. I heard it because my changing room was next to the dressing room of Senegal. 'I just asked myself 'would we have celebrated in the same manner?' And I ask myself 'would I have been the first in the dressing room screaming and knocking my fist on some boxes?' 'Would the players then have joined or just said 'what's wrong with the gaffer? It is just a friendly match, he needs to calm down'. 'OK, I exaggerate a little bit but I include myself. I don't think my players would be so happy and so excited about it, and not because they are not, but maybe because they demand it from themselves. 'Maybe the latest history brings with it that they think everything is normal – we need to win, we need to win in style and we need to win comfortably, we need to beat everyone and it needs to look easy, we need to be exciting and everything mixed together feels a little bit like it holds us down because I see the smile, I see the liveliness in training. 'I tell you pretty much all the time that I am excited by what I see and I have a strong belief in what we can do. But we miss at the moment the translation to the pitch.'

Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson set for awkward encounter THIS weekend at Soccer Aid - three months after it was revealed One Direction star was dating his ex Zara McDermott
Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson set for awkward encounter THIS weekend at Soccer Aid - three months after it was revealed One Direction star was dating his ex Zara McDermott

Daily Mail​

time44 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson set for awkward encounter THIS weekend at Soccer Aid - three months after it was revealed One Direction star was dating his ex Zara McDermott

Sam Thompson is set for an awkward encounter with Louis Tomlinson at Soccer Aid this Sunday - three months after the One Direction singer started dating Sam's ex Zara McDermott. The men will be on the same England team for Unicef - the same charity Sam completed a 260-mile five-day long marathon for on Friday. And while Sam has insisted there are 'no hard feelings', the encounter is bound to sting a little. Sam, 32, and former Love Islander Zara, 28, confirmed they had ended their relationship in January after more than five years together. Zara moved on pretty quickly with singer Louis, 33, with the smitten couple appearing inseparable since their romance was made public in March. They have enjoyed a loved-up getaway to Costa Rica together after Louis flew his new flame out to the island first-class. Meanwhile I'm A Celeb winner Sam has moved on with Love Island beauty Samie Eilshi, 25. After their blossoming romance was confirmed when they shared a steamy kiss in Mayfair last month, speculation of a split grew after Samie was noticeably absent from Sam's highly-publicised challenge for Soccer Aid last week. Such rumours have since been squashed however, with their romance reportedly going from strength to strength as they 'love spending time together on their days off', a source close to the couple told MailOnline. During an episode of their podcast Staying Relevant's last month, Pete Wicks, 37, teased Sam about the prospect of the potentially awkward encounter between him and Louis. The TOWIE star asked his co-host: 'You're really going through it with the whole f****** body and dieting and training loads. Is that for Soccer Aid?' Sam laughed and assured he's 'loving it' but 'no, it's not' for the game, to which Pete continued: 'Are you sure it's not for Soccer Aid? How are you feeling? You're playing again. Must be really exciting.' He added: 'How do you feel about the line up? Do you think you've got a strong team?' Awkwardly laughing, Sam replied: 'Got a really strong team'. But, not dropping the subject, Pete then asked: 'Any kind of people in there who you're looking forward to playing with?' 'Loads,' Sam laughed: 'Tom Grennan. I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Wayne Rooney, Tyson Fury's the manager. I can't wait'. Pete joked: 'I mean that's gonna be f****** amazing. Make sure you get him on side though because you may need him in your corner in case you fall out with anyone. Not that you will but just in case there's any rivalries or anything. 'You know, you have to train together and it's a lot, you know when you're kind of in close quarters with someone like that. All sorts gets brought up. Anyway...' Sam and Louis will join the likes of Tyson Fury, Jill Scott, Grennan and Paddy McGuinness in the star-studded squad, while Wayne Rooney will step out of retirement as one of the managers. However, whilst he is assured to be in attendance, Sam's ability to take part in the match itself is doubtful after he suffered an agonising ankle injury during his journey from London to Manchester on bike and foot last week. The former I'm A Celeb winner suffered the injury on the marathon's first day, but managed to power through five further days before reaching the finish line on Friday. Having raised more than £1.5million for Unicef and battled through a torn calf, the 32-year-old couldn't hide his emotions after completing his mission as he collapsed to the floor in tears. Speaking after the challenge, Sam said: 'My legs have completely gone but I feel good. I'm so grateful for everyone being here, I didn't think anyone would turn up. 'To everyone who has donated, I've said it before but I'll say it a million times, you are so heroic. The money will help so many children, I'm so grateful.' Sam may now have more time to pursue his romance with Samie, who recently opened up about their relationship for the first time. Sam first met Samie, who appeared on Love Island in 2023 and returned to the All Stars series this year, through his presenting role on Aftersun. Samie spoke about the blossoming relationship for the first time during an appearance on the Chloe Mediumship podcast. The show is hosted by a psychic medium and in the episode, the beauty revealed how she's previously had negative gut feelings in past relationships. She explained: 'I've had gut feelings with guys before. I've had a couple of relationships where I've known it was never it. Like this is gonna come to an end, I'll have something telling me every day it's coming to an end, this isn't for you. 'You put it to the back of your mind and then you start noticing the chaos increase. It's like the universe saying I'm gonna blow you both up if you just do not separate. Then I'm like if I only I listened all those months ago when I got that first message.' Then, host Chloe asked: 'Obviously, you don't have to talk about it too much but the guy you're currently speaking to, do you have that gut feeling? Like do you think it's gonna be really good?' Keeping her cards close to her chest, the former Love Islander replied: 'There's been no bad stuff at the minute so yeah I suppose it is all positive right now. It's early days.' Zara and Louis sparked relationship speculation at the start of this year before going public in March, three months after MailOnline revealed Zara and ex-boyfriend Sam had parted ways. Despite his heartache over Zara moving on so quickly, sources close to Sam exclusively told MailOnline at the time he holds no grudges against Louis over the new romance. A source close to the star said: 'Sam has no hard feelings towards Louis, that's for sure. 'As far as he's concerned, Louis is Zara's new man and he's just got to accept it. 'He's a positive guy and will just move on from this, throwing himself into work and getting stuck into the exciting projects he's got coming up. 'Obviously he was sad when their relationship broke up and, like anyone, when your ex moves so quickly it's tough. And if he was both angry and devastated, that would be understandable. 'But he's not sitting around wallowing in self pity, far from it.' Zara and Sam were together for five years before they split at the end of 2024 shortly after the Made In Chelsea favourite worked in Australia for I'm A Celeb spinoff show Unpacked. This year's Soccer Aid for Unicef match airs on the evening of Sunday 15 June on ITV1 and ITVX from Old Trafford, Manchester.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store