PRO40 DIVISION TWO, Grace Road:
Leicestershire 222-6 beat Lancashire 146 by 76 runs (Lancs 2pts)

James Benning had made just six runs in his first two Pro40 knocks

Lancashire's Pro40 Division Two title hopes suffered a blow as they were beaten by bottom club Leicestershire.

In only his fourth appearance since signing from Surrey, James Benning top scored with 89 as the home side posted a testing target of 222-6.

But, once Paul Horton (34) and Francois du Plessis (30) had gone, Lancashire buckled from 110-4 to 146 all out.

Young spinner Jigar Naik wrapped up victory, taking 3-21 to earn the Foxes their first Pro40 win of 2009.

Fellow spinner Claude Henderson also claimed three victims as the visitors lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs.

Benning and Tom New (50) both hit half-centuries in an opening stand of 118 that was the platform for Leicestershire's innings.

It could have been more but for a mid-innings stutter but it looked a competitive score and, in the end, proved more than enough when Lancashire faced the Foxes spinners.

Lancashire now have two days off before facing Division Two leaders Middlesex under the lights at Lord's on Wednesday night (26 August, 1540 BST).

Leicestershire will be in County Championship Division Two action the same days against promotion-chasing Essex at Chelmsford (1100 BST)

Lancashire spinner Gary Keedy told BBC Radio Manchester:

"Some people would argue we've been a bit overplayed.

"But I don't think it's tiredness. We keep ourselves fit. And it was just one of those days.

"Having lost some early wickets, we'd still have backed ourselves any day of the week at five an over on a good pitch.

"We were just setting ourselves for their supposedly weaker bowlers, but we lost a couple of wickets and never recovered."

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