Wakely leads Northants recovery

18 June 2009

Alex Wakely reached three figures for the first time in first-class cricket before Northants declared 93 behind

Alex Wakely hit his maiden first-class century as Northamptonshire fought back in their LV= County Championship Division Two clash against Glamorgan on the third day at the SWALEC Stadium.

The former England Under-19 batsman hit an unbeaten 113 to form the backbone of the visitors' first innings, which was not looking overly healthy at the start of the third morning.

Northamptonshire resumed on a shaky 28 for three in reply to Glamorgan's 308, rain having limited play to little more than an hour yesterday.

Nicky Boje showed some positive intent by declaring the Northamptonshire first innings on 215 for eight - 93 behind - with 20-year-old Wakely having faced 256 balls.

By the close Glamorgan had reached 59 for one - an overall lead of 152.

At the start of the day Wakely and Boje were made to deal with seamers James Harris and David Harrison, who had done the early damage on day two and enjoyed some early movement with the new ball once again.

Harrison struck in the fourth over to trap visiting Boje leg before, leaving Wakely and Mark Nelson to rescue their side from the depths of 37 for four.

Wakely got his head down to go to a patient half-century from 91 balls, but their partnership was cut short when Adam Shantry bowled Nelson.

Former South Africa all-rounder Andrew Hall accompanied Wakely past his previous best of 67, and helped Northants avoid the follow-on by reaching 158.

The sixth-wicket stand had yielded 84 when slow left-armer Dean Cosker bowled Hall, and two overs later Robert Croft took his 950th first-class wicket by trapping David Willey lbw.

That left Northamptonshire 165 for seven, but Wakely continued his vigil to reach his three figures from 224 balls before Harrison bowled Johan van der Wath to bring about the Northants declaration.

Glamorgan openers Mark Cosgrove and Gareth Rees put on 42 for the first wicket in good time before Monty Panesar's first ball of the innings broke through the latter's defences.