LONDON, CMC – West Indies captain Jason Holder was eyeing a half-century on county debut as he made an encouraging start to life in the Championship, helping Northamptonshire bat the entire opening day of their contest against Middlesex here yesterday.
Playing at home at Wantage Road, Northants finished on 310 for six, with captain Alex Wakely top-scoring with 76 and wicketkeeper Adam Rossington carving out 67.
Rob Keogh chipped in with 46 while opener Ricardo Vasconcelos made 38. Holder, fresh from leading West Indies to a series win over England in the Caribbean, ended the day unbeaten on a composed 36.
He has faced 66 balls in 99 minutes and struck five fours, putting on 67 for the sixth wicket with Rossington who counted eight fours and two sixes in a 82-ball knock, before falling nearing the close.
Northamptonshire had earlier recovered from 83 for three courtesy of a 99-run fourth wicket stand between Wakely and Keogh.
Veteran new-ball seamer Tim Murtagh claimed four for 43.
The 27-year-old Holder is the leading all-rounder in Tests, averaging 33 with the bat and 27 with his medium pace, to sit at number one on the ICC charts.
