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Leicestershire openers fight back after follow-on

LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Bristol:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Gloucestershire 376 Leicestershire 102 and 122-0
Gloucs 7pts, Leics 3pts
Match scorecard


Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Jon Batty
Wicketkeeper Jon Batty joined Gloucestershire from Surrey

Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman enforced the follow-on after his bowlers skittled Leicestershire for just 102 on day two at Bristol.

Wicketkeeper Jon Batty took five catches as bowlers Anthony Ireland, James Franklin and Gemaal Hussain each took three wickets.

Only Will Jefferson (51) and Claude Henderson (28) reached double figures.

Facing a first-innings deficit of 274, Leicestershire openers Paul Nixon and Matt Boyce reached 122-0 at the close.

Hussain's 3-26 confirmed his position as the leading wicket-taker in County Championship cricket this season by taking his tally to 29. Ireland and Franklin had identical figures of 3-21.

Gloucestershire added 62 to their overnight score of 314-6, Steve Snell and Hussain both contributing 28. Matthew Hoggard finished with 4-67 from 25 overs. It meant the home side earned four batting points, their best return on home soil this season.

A seam attack without the rested Steve Kirby soon had Leicestershire in trouble as left-armer Franklin sent back Boyce and Nixon in the space of four deliveries during an excellent new-ball spell.

James Taylor and Andrew McDonald fell cheaply to Hussain and Ireland respectively, but Jefferson reached his half-century off 62 balls before he was bowled driving at Ireland.

The tall opener had twisted an ankle taking a quick single in the first over after lunch and did not appear when his team batted for the second time.

There was little resistance from the Leicestershire tail, although Henderson hit four fours in his 28 before being last man out, Batty taking a fifth catch to give Franklin his third wicket.

Hussain, who had made only one Championship appearance before the start of this season, again impressed with his lively pace and ability to swing the ball as well as move it off the seam.

Any hopes Gloucestershire had of winning inside two days were soon dispelled as Nixon replaced Jefferson at the top of the Leicestershire order and helped Boyce see out day's remaining 43 overs without undue alarm.

Boyce reached his half-century off 108 balls, with six fours, while Nixon looked equally secure in following suit off 137 deliveries with four boundaries.



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see also
Gidman misses ton but Glos on top
10 May 10 |  Counties


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