Lancashire chasing victory after spirited James Bracey century

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: Middlesex will attempt to bat out the day at Northampton after James Sales' career-best hundred

ECB Reporters Network | 19/04/2026 at 20:20

Northampton (day three of four): Middlesex 341 & 109-1, Northamptonshire 409 - Middlesex lead by 41 runs with nine wickets remaining

James Sales and Liam Guthrie both posted career-bests with the bat as their ninth-wicket partnership of 74 tilted a close contest in Northamptonshire's favour against Middlesex at Wantage Road.

Sales was last man out for 164, having shared a lengthy stand with fellow centurion Nathan McSweeney before tailender Guthrie's spirited assault on the Middlesex bowling yielded 51 from 49 balls to stretch their side's first-innings total to 409.

That gave Northamptonshire, chasing their first Rothesay County Championship victory of the season after two draws, a handy lead of 68, but Middlesex fought back with the bat to reach stumps 41 in front for the loss of Josh de Caires.

Sam Robson was one short of his half century when the players went off for bad light, with Max Holden alongside him on 42.

Bristol (day three of four): Gloucestershire 136 & 305, Lancashire 240 & 75-3 - Lancashire need 127 runs to win with seven wickets remaining

Lancashire's injury woes continued as a James Bracey century helped Gloucestershire stage a spirited fightback on the third day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.

Having already lost seamer Ajeet Singh Dale to a hamstring injury on day one, the visitors had to make a second substitution when Luke Wells suffered a painful shoulder injury diving to prevent a boundary during the morning session.

Harry Singh was introduced in his place, with the go-ahead to bat and bowl, as Gloucestershire advanced their overnight second innings score of 58 for 3 to 305 all out, a lead of 201. Bracey hit 114, with 16 fours, and Miles Hammond contributed 82, sharing a fourth wicket stand of 148. There were four wickets each for James Anderson (4 for 51) and George Balderson (4 for 75).

Lancashire were left with 28 overs to bat in the day and closed on 75 for 3, Keaton Jennings unbeaten on 25, needing a further 127 runs to win.

^{Image: Jacob Hurry/Gloucestershire Cricket}