Solanki hundred secures draw

Vikram Solanki struck 114 to steer his side to safety

Vikram Solanki hit a fine century to ensure Worcestershire’s rain-ravaged LV County Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire ended in a draw at New Road.

The hosts’ skipper cracked 114, containing two sixes and 16 fours off 154 balls, after his side had trailed by 141 following the first innings.

The 32 year-old’s efforts enabled Worcestershire to safely wipe out the deficit and close on 245 for six in a match in which 182 overs were lost to frequent showers during the first three days.

It was Solanki’s third championship century of the season and his second in successive matches following last week’s 108 against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

He also impressed in Worcestershire’s visit to Wantage Road earlier in the campaign when he made a first-innings 64 in a match which also ended in deadlock.

Northants had began the final day on 264 for seven off 64.2 overs in reply to the hosts’ 146 and were rapidly removed for 287 off 70 overs thanks to paceman Simon Jones, who polished off the tail with a deadly burst of three for eight in 16 balls.

England’s Ashes-winning star began his lethal blast with his third delivery, which knocked out Lance Klusener’s leg stump after the all-rounder put on 120 in 25 overs with fellow South African Johannes van der Wath.

Klusener, 56 not out overnight, made 64 which contained 11 fours off 86 balls.

Northants captain Nicky Boje picked up 3-57 at New Road

His departure was followed three deliveries later by former Worcestershire campaigner David Wigley being yorked by Jones, who then rearranged Jason Brown’s stumps to finish with figures of 3-59 in 19 overs.

Van der Wath, who resumed on 69, was undefeated with 75, which included one six and 11 fours off 93 balls.

The 30-year-old then put his pace bowling abilities to good use by striking in the first over of Worcestershire’s second innings when he had Stephen Moore caught at third slip by Rob White.

The unsettling effect of Moore’s quickfire departure was eased by Daryl Mitchell and Solanki, who combined to add 95 in 26 overs.

Their important partnership was finally broken when Mitchell was caught behind by Niall O’Brien off former New Road all-rounder Andrew Hall for 46.

Solanki was undeterred and, along with Ben Smith, helped erase the deficit in the 38th over.

Their stand was worth 73 in 21 overs when Smith fell to spinner Nicky Boje to open the way for Graeme Hick to join Solanki, who completed his century off 132 balls with one six and 15 fours.

He eventually fell shortly before tea when an undistinguished stroke resulted in him being caught by White off Boje, who also added Steve Davies to his collection to finish with figures three for 57.

Hick made 32 before he became spinner Jason Brown’s 400th first-class wicket for Northants, who are now unbeaten in the last six championship matches.