Sales of the century for Northants

David Sales was in sparkling form for Northamptonshire

David Sales cracked the fastest century of the season as Northamptonshire enjoyed a profitable first day in their LV County Championship Division Two match against Glamorgan at Swansea.

Sales, who was also joined on three figures by Niall O’Brien, brought up his quickfire 100 from only 76 balls with three sixes and 15 fours as Glamorgan’s attack suffered.

At the close, Northamptonshire had reached a mammoth 453 for six from 96 overs with Sales out in the third over before the close for 173.

Northamptonshire skipper Nicky Boje won a useful toss and had no hesitation in choosing first use of a slow but true St Helen’s pitch.

And his decision was vindicated by an opening stand of 126 between O’Brien and Stephen Peters, who both scored at almost a run a minute to reach lunch at 122 for nought.

O’Brien, the Ireland wicketkeeper, played well but was given a lifeline on 38 when he was dropped at third slip by Matthew Wood off David Harrison.

After lunch, Glamorgan did fight back to take two wickets in the space of eight overs.

Peters edged a slower Jason Gillespie delivery to Michael Powell at second slip and then Robert Croft claimed the scalp of Riki Wessels, who edged an attempted drive to backward point.

O’Brien’s century came up off 128 balls with 14 fours but he was already playing second fiddle to Sales, who seems to enjoy playing Glamorgan following his double century against them at Colwyn Bay last season.

Glamorgan claimed their first bowling point when O’Brien holed out to Croft at long-on for 108 to give Dean Cosker his first wicket of the season. It meant the Irishman had fallen one short of his career best.

But Northamptonshire still managed to score 162 runs in 33 overs between lunch and tea.
If the hosts hoped Sales would slow down after reaching 50 off only 37 balls they were to be disappointed as he maintained the pace to notch his century, hitting three big sixes.

He shared in a 183-run stand in 29 overs with Rob White, who looked certain to become the third centurion until he was caught at leg slip by David Hemp off Croft for 83 to leave Northamptonshire at 37 for four.

The 400 and maximum batting points came up in only the 86th over with Sales dominating on 148 not out. His 150 arrived from 130 balls.

But he only added a further 23 before Croft trapped him leg before attempting a slog sweep to leave the visitors 445 for five. Sales faced 196 balls, hitting 24 fours and three sixes.

And in the next over Boje edged Gillespie into the gully.