da casino： Northamptonshire all-rounder Kevin Innes put in a dogged performance asNorthamptonshire made it back-to-back wins over Grenada as their tour to theisland continued to hit the winning note
da fezbet： Nick Hoult18-Mar-2000Northamptonshire all-rounder Kevin Innes put in a dogged performance asNorthamptonshire made it back-to-back wins over Grenada as their tour to theisland continued to hit the winning note.On the downside wicketkeeper Toby Bailey tore a hamstring and faces a weekon the sidelines curtailing his opportunities on the tour.But Innes gave the team something to cheer about when he guided them to afour wicket win with a watchful 46 from 73 balls which included five fours.At 85 for five the County were in a little trouble chasing the 152 targetset by the home side but Innes steadied the ship and hit the winning runswith more than three overs remaining.The all-rounder had earlier taken four for 28 with a tight bowling displaywhich frustrated the Grenadian batsmen. New boy Darren Cousins picked upfour wickets in his first match for the County, and Richard Logan bowled animpressive opening display.Innes said: “The first match was hard because the flight was long and we’dhad a tough first training session. It was a lot hotter in this match and ifwe’d bowled second then it would have been very difficult for us.”We are not used to this weather but we have adapted well. We used the samewicket for this game as we did in the last one and it got lower as it wenton.”A stronger Grenadian team took to the field for the second match with sixplayers having first-class experience with the Windward Isles, and skipperRaul Lewis has played at Test match level. In both matches the County havebeen given a good run out and the Grenadians have provided relatively stiffopposition.Director of cricket Bob Carter said: “We’ve been surprised a bit by them.They can all bat and bowl but the real test for us will come next weekendwhen we play the Windward Isles. They are a first-class team and have justfinished their Busta Cup competition. Those two games will be a good run outfor the lads.”Innes has had to be patient at the County Ground after making his Secondteam debut as 14-year-old but is hoping he will a key man this seasonfollowing Kevin Curran’s retirement.”This is a big year for me. KC has retired so there will be moreopportunities. I will bat at seven or eight and be first change seamer whichis a role I’m looking forward to. I’ve worked with Capes on my techniquethis winter and spent a lot of time building up my fitness. I broke in lastyear but now I need to carry on that progress,” he said.Carter has earmarked an important role for Innes and will be hoping he cancontinue the kind of form he has shown already on the tour.”He is a very capable cricketer and he made big strides last season. He hasworked very hard in the winter and he’s going to have a big season. He’s putthe work in and will hopefully see the rewards that brings,” the Countychief said.The County head back to the training ground over the next couple of days andare due to hold coaching clinics with Grenadian youth team.
