James Sales seals thrilling draw for Northants with maiden first-class fifty

James Sales' maiden first-class fifty helped Northamptonshire salvage a draw with Durham in their LV= Insurance County Championship Division Two clash at Wantage Road.

All-rounder Sales, the 18-year-old son of former Northamptonshire batter David, struck a sublime 53 off 120 deliveries on his second red-ball appearance to lead a gritty final day rear-guard.

Luke Procter scored 44, while unbeaten Simon Kerrigan ate up a heroic 135 balls as they edged into a lead with 10 overs to spare, to make sure their side avoided defeat.

Durham had taken wickets throughout the day, with Matty Potts taking 4 for 48 - to return career-best match figures of 8 for 90 - but neither he nor his attack partners could find a complete set as Northamptonshire reached 231 for 9 at the close.

After a washed-out day three, Durham required 10 wickets, Northamptonshire needed to bat out the day or wipe out a 217-run deficit and not leave enough time for any chase.

Emilio Gay survived a spill at third slip and a strong lbw appeal but was snatched at second slip when trying to work Potts into the legside.

Ricardo Vasconcelos edged behind to give Rushworth his 55th Championship wicket of the season - the sixth time he has reached that figure- before Rob Keogh was adjudged lbw to Ben Raine.

The resumption from lunch saw a showcase of quick bowling from Potts and Rushworth on a largely unresponsive pitch as three wickets fell in 40 minutes.

Potts secured a nick behind when he angled across the left-handed Saif Zaib and then produced a gem to kiss the surface and Adam Rossington's outside edge, with David Bedingham clutching on at first slip.

Harry Gouldstone was caught on the crease as Rushworth cannoned into the top of off stump - with 106 still needed to make Durham bat again.

Throughout the quick succession of wickets Procter had stood firm, as he had for his 76 in the first innings. But after a half an hour lookout with Sales, he was plumb lbw to a full Raine delivery for 44.

Sales and Simon Kerrigan set up camp and added 68, with a volley of boundaries off the former's bat flying after tea, while equally importantly eating up 187 balls.

Sales was dropped at mid-off where Raine shelled a dolly before reaching a maiden first-class fifty with a three through midwicket off 99 balls.

Potts struck with his second delivery with the second new ball when Sales toed a pull to mid-on.

Kerrigan and Sanderson took the hosts into the red but with 54 balls remaining the latter was leg before to Scott Borthwick but Kerrigan marshalled Jack White to a thrilling draw.