Paternott keeps his old Uni pals at bay

OLD BOY Lloyd Paternott returned to haunt the MCCU Combined as the Oxford batsman dug in for Northamptonshire to deny the students victory.

Paternott had been playing for Oxford as recently as April, but has enjoyed a run in Northamptonshire’s second XI over the summer.

And the 24-year-old’s unbeaten 77 from 210 balls was his best effort yet as he ensured that his side survived the third day with two wickets to spare.

Hasan Azad had got the MCCU off to a flying start as his classy knock of 123, which he put together with 17 fours and a maximum, was the highlight of the first innings.

Steve Bullen (65) and Tom Cullen (41) also chipped in with vital scores and ensured that South African seamer Chad Barrett (4-52) and former England spinner Monty Panesar (2-51) did not get on top.

In reply to 302, Northants were initially wobbling on 58-4 under the attentions of Bobby Gamble (3-32) and Alex Lilley (4-40) before regaining their balance thanks to Charlie Home.

Home scored nearly half of Northants’ total of 245, as his superb 122 – having arrived at the crease at No.5 – came from 217 deliveries.

But another fine innings from the MCCU put them in the box seat again, this time Matthew Norris just about outshining Azad (83) with a superb unbeaten century of 108.

Having declared on 277-3, victory was shaping up to be a procession as Northants found themselves flailing on 29-5.

Again Loughborough’s Gamble (2-44) and Leeds/Bradford’s Lilley (3-28) were the main antagonists – with the latter bagging the prized wicket of Home.

But the rot stopped at No.6 with Paternott, who put Northants in survival mode after seeing off 152 dot balls, while Adam King and Ben Claydon also survived 51 and 91 deliveries respectively to ultimately frustrate the students.