CRICKET: SUFFOLK coach Andy Brown admitted that the batsmen must again take the responsibility for another poor showing against Northumberland yesterday."We are in danger of picking up an unwanted habit of losing matches, and that could be difficult to get rid of," said Brown.

SUFFOLK coach Andy Brown admitted that the batsmen must again take the responsibility for another poor showing against Northumberland yesterday.

"We are in danger of picking up an unwanted habit of losing matches, and that could be difficult to get rid of," said Brown.

"We have bowled and fielded well all season, but the batting has let us down, especially in the second innings, time and time again. We are not giving the bowlers enough to bowl at.

"I thought we dominated the first four sessions of this game. We did well to reach 266 in the first innings on a bowler's wicket, and we were in the driving seat with them struggling on 96 for nine.

"Their last two batsmen had nothing to lose. They rode their luck a bit, and suddenly it began to run away from us.

"But we were still hoping to build on our lead in the second innings, perhaps setting them about 250 or even 300. But it didn't happen that way.

"Personally, I feel in good nick at the moment, but I'm not getting the luck. The opening partnership of 44 with Russell Catley in the first innings was very important, because it gave us confidence after losing the toss on a green wicket.

"I got myself in again in the second innings, but then hit a wide half-volley and got caught. Suddenly we were 12 for two," added Brown.

Yet Brown is still confident that Suffolk's bowlers can turn it around this morning, with Northumberland still requiring 110 with nine wickets remaining.

"Gary (Kirk) keeps going. He's bowled so well for us again this summer, but he can't go on forever and it's time for the younger bowlers, like Paul King and David Cross, to start playing a bigger role.

"We came very close to beating Cambridgeshire, and we must make the most of another chanceon the final day," added Brown.