Sales injury not as serious as first feared

The Steelbacks celebrate after taking a Durham wicket in the rain-reduced game at the County Ground

Northamptonshire head coach David Ripley says that an ankle injury suffered by David Sales in the Natwest t20 Blast clash with Durham Jets isn’t serious.

The batsman, who was captain again in the absence of Kyle Coetzer, went over in the outfield and was forced to leave the field shortly before the game was abandoned.

And Ripley is certain that he will be back in action relatively quickly although it is unlikely he will be available for this weekend’s trip to Lord’s in the LV= County Championship.

He said: “Thankfully it doesn’t appear to as bad as I first thought.

“My first thoughts were his knees, he’s had knee trouble, but it’s his ankle.

“The first diagnosis is hopefully it’s not something that will keep him out for months.

“It’s going to be a bit sore but we hope he’ll get rid of the swelling and hopefully not be out for too long.”

As for the game itself, Ripley and his men were forced to curse their luck as poor weather ruined their chances of ending a four-game losing streak.

Durham had been restricted to 69-4 from 10 overs when a second downpour of the evening ended the contest prematurely.

And Ripley revealed that a squad get together prior to the game had had a positive effect on the field.

“We had a fairly productive squad meeting this afternoon for a couple of hours and there was some good stuff came out,” he added.

“We talked a lot about commitment in the field and being visibly up for it and I thought, in tough conditions underfoot, we really were.

“I thought we were well on top in the game and unfortunately the rain came in.”