Rory Kleinveldt hit new heights when he took nine Nottinghamshire first-innings wickets in his closing County Championship match.
And in a hectic day, he picked up two more in Notts second innings before the close of play on day two: 11 and counting. After some resistance from the Notts men later, he grabbed another two to end with 13-98 for the match.
Not only that, but he was Northants’ highest scorer in the first innings with 43, batting at No 8 and helping his team to a precarious total of 194. Precarious, that is, until Kleinveldt took the new ball and ripped the head and heart out of Nottinghamshire’s lineup.
He bowled unchanged for 10 overs, but only made the breakthrough in his seventh. When he rested for the first time, he had 3-32; On his return, with Notts on 77-4 after 28 overs, he picked up his fourth just before the close of play.
Resuming on Wednesday where he had left off, he took a wicket with his second ball of the day and again bowled for another incredible 11.2 overs in a row, taking the remaining five wickets for 31 runs. His 9-65 were his best first-class figures in a career dating back to 2002.
In their second crack at the crease, Richard Levi scored an amazing 115 off 104 balls (16×4, 4×6), with support from Kleinveldt (48 off 41, 9×4, 1×6) as Northants blasted the way to 270, and a lead of 314. With Kleinveldt’s contribution, Northants secured victory by 124 runs
It was a good day for Saffa bowlers on the County circuit. Kyle Abbott was given a standing ovation by Hampshire fans after taking 6-20 and forcing the newly-crowned County Champions, Essex, to follow on at Southampton. He was to take another two in the second innings as Hampshire restricted Essex to a lead of 184.
Hampshire, who were once again involved in a relegation battle, scored 254 in their first effort at the crease, and they were seriously discomfited by the off-spin of the Warriors’ Kolpakker Simon Harmer. He is likely to finish second on the County bowling list with 66 wickets so far. He took 3-47 in Hampshire’s first innings.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
