NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, at one stage threatened with a rout, managed to secure a tie thanks to the steady hands of Rob Bailey, who remained unbeaten on 48. Fast bowler Franklyn Rose drove the last ball for four.

In the desperate situation of 71 for four halfway through their innings, Northants needed 40 off the last five overs.

Kevin Curran, having hit a battling 51, was fifth out at 90, caught at midwicket off Richard Illingworth after having been missed in the same position off the previous ball. That dropped chance by Bobby Chapman was about the only flaw in Worcestershire's fielding and their bowlers gave little away.

Northants, chasing 69 with nine overs remaining, were brought into contention by a partnership of 45 in eight overs between Bailey and Jeremy Snape. Bailey had given the scoring rate a welcome spurt by straight driving Illingworth for six and glancing him for four.

Northants would have been chasing a much bigger score but for a magnificent second spell by David Follett in which he captured three wickets for 10 runs.

The bulk of Worcestershire's score was provided by a partnership of 90 in 19 overs between Tom Moody and Graeme Hick. Follett split it by yorking Hick in his first over back. Two balls later, he inflicted the same fate on David Leatherdale.

Snape gave Follett a hand in putting Worcestershire off their stride. He removed Hafeez and also claimed Moody, who alone had summoned any authority in making 68 off 104 balls. The two fours Steve Rhodes hit in the final over, off Rose, proved crucial to Worcestershire.