Boje sparkles for Northants

Nicky Boje excelled for Northants with a double ton

South African Nicky Boje chalked up a match-saving double century as Northamptonshire recovered from a first innings collapse to rescue a draw in the LV County Championship Division Two match against Worcestershire.

Boje, resuming on 55 on Saturday, added a second consecutive hundred in his new team’s colours, finishing on 226 not out as the home side salvaged a share of the points.

The Northamptonshire all-rounder brought up his century in the morning session, before going on to record a career-best double hundred after lunch.

The hosts’ David Sales, 48 not out overnight, started the day aggressively, smashing Steve Magoffin through the covers to bring up his half-century in the first over of the session.

But he succumbed the following delivery, edging the Australian seamer straight to Daryl Mitchell, who took his second catch of the innings at second slip.

Boje continued his sublime strokeplay and chalked up his second century this season – adding 45 runs in just 60 balls – clubbing 13 runs off one Gareth Andrew over.

He was joined by wicketkeeper Riki Wessels, who contributed a quickfire 14 before Andrew trapped him lbw to leave the home side 215 for four - but Boje was in imperious form and reached lunch unbeaten on 126.

He was well supported by fellow South African Lance Klusener as the big-hitter plundered 32 from 42 deliveries, adding 77 with his captain as Northamptonshire ended the first session on 292 for four, with a lead of 60.

The South African duo dominated the afternoon session, putting Northamptonshire in command as they produced a fine 181-run partnership – a club record fifth-wicket stand against Worcestershire.

Lance Klusener combined with Boje in a 181-run partnership

Klusener displayed great discipline as he notched his fourth half-century of the season before accelerating to 74, crashing five fours in consecutive overs and hoisting Gareth Batty over midwicket for six.

In the 88th over he looped Magoffin to 2005 Ashes hero Simon Jones, on as a sub, at midwicket but Boje remained in total control, hitting four fours in one Chris Whelan over.

Having only recorded one century in the past seven years before this campaign, the South-African all-rounder reached a sparkling career-best 202 not out which featured 31 fours and a six.

Worcestershire deprived of the injured Kabir Ali - had a torrid time in the field and could not restrict the free-flowing Boje or Johann Louw, who bludgeoned 25 before tea to put Northamptonshire in charge.

The players emerged after tea for just an hour’s play – both captains acceptant that neither side could realistically expect to win.

Having been defeated at the death by Warwickshire last weekend, Boje was understandably cautious in taking any risks with a declaration.

The handful of spectators remaining were treated to some big hitting by Louw, who raced to his 50 off just 73 balls and smashed five sixes and four fours in an unbeaten 67.

Boje remained unbeaten on 226 – another club record for the highest individual total versus Worcestershire since 1937 - spending 413 minutes at the crease in total.