Yorkshire CCC v Northants - Captain Steve Patterson lands crucial blow in thrilling one-run Headingley win

For Andrew Gale’s unbeaten team it was a third straight Group Three fixture to consolidate second place behind Lancashire.

“I’m not sure I can explain that. It was certainly a roller-coaster,” said Patterson. “Looking back on it, we’re delighted to win because we haven’t played anywhere near the cricket we’re capable of. “But what it has shown, the same as last week and the week before, is our team spirit and attitude. The way we keep fighting our way back into games despite how we start is a testament to the desire in that dressing room.

“At no point until it got down to probably four runs did I feel we were losing that game. I always felt we’d create one more opportunity.”

The visitors were 174-7 at lunch, chasing 220, with Wayne Parnell on 16 and Gareth Berg 14.

Beneath overcast skies, Northants started the day on 94-4, with Luke Procter (20) and Saif Zaib (one) the unbeaten batsmen.

Jordan Thompson and David Willey were entrusted with bowling duties and there was a flurry of early boundaries off Thompson, whom Procter twice flicked off his legs and Zaib twice stroked through the covers.

But Willey pounced with the score on 115, having Procter caught behind for 27 from a ball that shaped away.

It was a poor shot from Procter, who had no need to play at it, wicketkeeper Jonny Tattersall taking a comfortable catch.

When the total had reached 131-5 there was controversy when Tom Taylor looked to have been caught low down at first slip by Tom Kohler-Cadmore off Willey for one.

The ball seemed to carry quite comfortably and Yorkshire were distraught that umpires Nick Cook and David Millns did not agree.

Feelings were still running high when, in the next over, Taylor was adjudged lbw to Steve Patterson without adding to his tally.

Willey appeared to have a word with the batsman, who turned around and lingered at the crease before walking off.

Northants fell to 146-7 when Duanne Olivier had Zaib caught behind for 25 playing loosely away from his body, Zaib kicking the turf in frustration before departing.

It should have been 158-8 but Gareth Berg was dropped on four by wicketkeeper Tattersall diving to his right in front of the slips off Olivier. #

Northamptonshire head coach David Ripley, reflected: “It is gutting. We have put a lot into those four days. Coming down to one run, it’s a roll of the dice somewhere over the four days.

“With 14 runs needed going into the (rain) break and Ben Sanderson coming in, it still felt a lot even though we have faith in him. But once we’d whittled it down to one hit with the field in, I thought we’d win.

“It was wrenched from us. Credit to Wayne (Parnell), he’s had a great game. To come so close is pretty galling.”

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