Essex 263 (Allison 69*, Westley 58, Browne 49, Taylor 4-59) and 110 (Critchley 20, White 6-38) beat Northamptonshire 163 (Young 37, Allison 5-32) and 163 (Berg 39, Harmer 6-49) by 47 runs
Simon Harmer claimed six wickets for 49 to spin Essex to a 47-run victory over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road and finish as leading wicket taker in this year’s LV= County Championship Division One.
Harmer extracted prodigious turn to run through Northamptonshire’s middle and lower order after Sam Cook set up victory with three wickets in two overs to shatter Northamptonshire’s hopes of chasing 211 to win.
A breezy 30 from Ricardo Vascconcelos boosted the hopes of the home fans before six wickets fell for 29 runs. Despite a belligerent 39 from Gareth Berg, Northamptonshire’s highest score in the match, the hosts were bowled out for 163, meaning they finish sixth place in the Championship.
Harmer finished with 59 wickets for the season, one ahead of Kyle Abbott of Hampshire while Cook passed 50 for the season at an average of just 16.1
The result meant Jack White‘s career-best bowling figures were in vain. White took 6 for 38 to skittle Essex for 110 as the visitors lost their last five wickets for 47 runs in the morning session and set up a tantalising run chase.
More to follow
Source: ESPN Crickinfo