North’s batting collapses again against Norfolk
NORTHUMBERLAND are on course to be bowled out for double figures in their first innings for the second game running.
Bowled out for 93 in the 36th over by leaders Lincolnshire at Jesmond, North closed last night on 34-6 after 21 overs against Norfolk in their final game of the season.
The visitors, put in to bat, were bowled out for 303 after putting on 91 for the first wicket.
With Bruce France then ripping out four batsmen and professional Rob Taylor the other two Jesmond again produced no home comforts.
It was another abject batting display by a Northumberland side short of confidence and going into today 269 runs adrift with just four wickets left.
Tom Cant (3-33) and Shaun Tindale (3-88) kept Northumberland in it with the ball, Cant conceding at a rate of just two an over.
James Reynolds and Ashley Watson both scored half-centuries for Norfolk, Scotland international Taylor falling two short of his 50.
Northumberland’s brittle batting and penchant for collapses then saw the visitors take a stranglehold on the game. France’s devastating spell of 4-18 came from 12 overs, Taylor’s 2-13 from one fewer.
North’s top five managed just 16 runs between them, Alex Simpson bowled by Taylor for a duck.
Professional Jacques du Toit fared little better finding the boundary before being trapped leg before by Taylor.