Northamptonshire 311 for 3 (Gay 165*) vs Middlesex
Gay, 24 on Sunday, celebrated his birthday early, putting his highest first-class rating off 272 balls with 17 boundaries.
Middlesex’s bowlers, who have been punished after inserting Glamorgan at Lord’s final week, will need to have had a way of déjà vu however caught diligently to their process on a largely docile wicket, deploying the brief ball because the day wore on in a bid to make inroads with the Kookaburra ball.
They’d trigger to rejoice themselves when Ryan Higgins eliminated opener Jason Broad lbw within the second over of the day. However the subsequent breakthrough wouldn’t come till after tea as Procter and Gay took management.
As soon as Procter fell to spinner Josh de Caires, Gay shared an 86-run stand with Karun Nair (41) earlier than the Indian batter performed on to a supply that jagged again from Toby Roland-Jones.
The day was additionally memorable in that Northamptonshire secured their first house batting factors of 2024 – a feat they didn’t obtain till 26 September final yr.
Procter picked up the place he left off after making 92 towards Sussex. He was stable in defence, however performed some crisp attacking pictures throughout the morning, driving reverse quantity Roland-Jones down the bottom and putting Tom Helm by way of sq. for 4.
Gay at occasions appeared weak outdoors off-stump early on, taking part in and lacking towards the seamers once they discovered some motion. However he grew in fluency, taking part in some engaging clips off his legs, taking up the brief ball, and driving firmly down the bottom. A spotlight of the morning session was an aesthetic drive for 4 by way of the covers off Helm.
The pair had taken Northamptonshire to 106 for one at lunch and it appeared as if they’d proceed scoring on the similar tempo after the break as Gay pulled Helm disdainfully by way of midwicket.
Scoring slowed considerably although, with simply 24 runs coming within the first hour of the afternoon. Procter grew becalmed within the forties, ultimately posting his half-century off 126 balls.
As Middlesex banged the ball in brief, Roland-Jones struck Procter beneath the armpit, however in any other case the Northamptonshire captain was largely glad to duck out of the best way. Gay took a extra attacking strategy, his pull pictures have been largely effectively managed, though at occasions he stored the leg-side fielders .
The scoring charge elevated as tea approached, Procter taking full benefit of a full toss from de Caires, smiting it over midwicket for the primary six of the innings.
Gay then reached three figures in model by rocking again and slashing Higgins by way of level for his ninth boundary.
After the interval, Procter put another de Caires full toss away to the ropes, however when he attacked the spinner’s subsequent over, he may solely pick Helm at mid on to depart Northamptonshire on 190 for 2. He had confronted 194 balls and hit six fours and one six.
Karun Nair reduce de Caires behind sq. for 4 however was troubled by a pair of well-directed brief balls from Helm, fending one away which fell safely between a gaggle of advancing shut catchers. However he discovered the sweep and reverse sweep worthwhile as he took consecutive boundaries off de Caires and shortly settled into the groove.
Gay in the meantime continued on his approach, backing away to slice Helm by way of the covers and utilizing his ft to de Caires to drive him by way of the identical space.
With Northamptonshire approaching 250, Middlesex took the brand new ball. Ethan Bamber and Roland-Jones discovered useful motion off the seam, however Gay appeared untroubled, taking part in an beautiful shot off his legs and an excellent cowl drive shortly earlier than stumps.
