COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Chelmsford:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Essex 517-9dec, Leicestershire 344 & 42-2 (Essex 8pts, Leics 5pts)
26-29 August 2009

Danish Kaneria took his haul of championship wickets to 50 this season

Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria took 8-116 as Leicestershire were forced to follow on at Chelmsford.

Jimmy Taylor made 112 not out but, with James Benning having had to retire hurt on 36, the visitors were 24 short of their follow-on target on 344.

Having batted again 173 behind, Leicestershire then closed the day on 42-2 in their second innings, Kaneria having already claimed another wicket.

Benning suffered a swollen cheekbone, hit by a delivery from David Masters.

But it was Kaneria's consistent bowling which caused the visitors trouble throughout and leaves Essex in a strong position heading into the final day.

Victory would take third-placed Essex top, with second-placed Derbyshire inactive until next week and Kent leaders Kent not due to finish until Sunday.

Pakistan Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria told BBC Essex: "I have been doing my fitness training very well so I am good and hopefully I'll be good in the morning.

"The wicket was a bit slow but I did my work. I just tried my level best to get something out of the wicket.

"It was a team effort. The boys really backed me up throughout the day and we will try to get them out as soon as possible tomorrow. We will try our best."

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