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Curran calms Northants

Northants (157-5) bt Middlesex (156-9) by 5 wkts

Northamptonshire moved a step closer to promotion from the Second Division with what was, on paper, a comfortable enough win, but they made heavy weather of it on an admittedly slow surface which did not encourage stroke-play.

Northants' early batsmen paid the penalty for trying to break free with a 'big' stroke. Alec Swann was caught behind off a fierce swish, Mal Loye blasted one at midwicket and Graeme Swann holed out at third man.

When David Sales crashed Simon Cook to mid-off Northants were 95 for four and faltering. Tony Penberthy played positively until off-spinner Keith Dutch straightened one enough to have him lbw.

Russell Warren scored his runs at barely one per over, but at least he did not surrender his wicket and when Kevin Curran came in and began to work the ball into space, Middlesex's faint chance faded.

Earlier Middlesex, who won the toss, had also batted indecisively against some steady bowling from Penberthy and Curran, who took three for 12 in nine overs, only eight runs coming from the bat.

At 83 for eight in the 31st over Middlesex were heading for humiliation but good batting from David Nash and sensible hitting by Angus Fraserensured a contest rather than a walkover.