COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Grace Road:
CLOSE OF PLAY, FINAL DAY: Leicestershire 368 and 133 beat Gloucestershire 138 and 319 by 44 runs (Leics 21pts, Glos 3pts)
19-22 August 2009

James Franklin just missed out on a third Championship century of 2009

Leicestershire overcame resistance from James Franklin at Grace Road to finally beat Gloucestershire by 44 runs.

Set 364 to win, the visitors resumed on their overnight 133-5 and got close to pulling it off on a gripping final day, only to be bowled out for 319.

Franklin was the Gloucestershire top scorer, batting for five hours to remain unbeaten on 97.

The result moves Gloucestershire seven points off promotion in fourth, while Leicestershire move off the bottom.

Still needed a further 231 to win with only five wickets in hand at the start of the day, Gloucestershire lost wicket keeper Steve Asdhead in the first hour, bowled by Wayne White for 18.

But Franklin compiled a watchful seventh-wicket stand of 98 with Richard Dawson until the former England spinner was trapped lbw by James Benning for 49.

New Zealand all-rounder Franklin then received support from Ian Saxelby, who helped keep the scoreboard ticking closer to the target until given out lbw after tea to Claude Henderson for 17.

Former England bowler Jon Lewis failed to make an impact, skying off-spinner Naik to midwicket. And Steve Kirby was last man out, bowled by Naik for 0.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version