Lehmann slams 'worst advert for county game' as Northants denied by bad light against Derbyshire

Northants left four points adrift after rain-hit draw

Northamptonshire head coach Darren Lehmann has branded the closing stages of his side's County Championship draw with Derbyshire "one of the worst advertisements for the county game" after bad light and drizzle brought a premature end to a thrilling run chase.

Northants needed just 23 more runs with four wickets in hand when the players were taken off at around 16:20 BST on Friday's fourth and final day, with umpires deciding conditions were unfit for play to resume. Batters Lewis McManus and George Bartlett were visibly frustrated as they were told the game could not continue.

"It was one of the greatest advertisements for the four day game. The pitch was unbelievable," Lehmann told BBC Radio Northampton.

"And then, conversely, it was one of the worst advertisements for the county game.

"I've got to be very careful with what I say but there were 10 blokes on the boundary and Shoaib Akhtar wasn't bowling.

"If Shoaib Akhtar was bowling, I could probably see a little bit of merit in it but that's the decision the umpires have to make and we just have to live with that, there's nothing we can do about it.

"We move on to Lord's four points behind. But we have to win at Lord's any way. So there's no dramas. It doesn't change too much.

"I know it's a little bit disappointing for the players.

"I'm more disappointed for the fans, the media, and the people watching the game because that would have been a great finish for everyone. So for the game of cricket, that's what misses out."

Promotion race continues

The draw leaves Northamptonshire four points below Kent, who occupy the second and final promotion spot in Division Two. Northants will travel to Lord's on Thursday to face Middlesex, who are fresh off their One-Day Cup final victory, while Kent host bottom-of-the-table Gloucestershire.