COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Northants 250 Leicestershire 159-2
Leics 3pts, Northants 2pts
Match scorecard
 Smith's century was his second in consecutive championship matches |
Leicestershire played themselves into a strong position against Northants on another day of turmoil for the county off the field. Captain Matthew Hoggard completed a five wicket haul as Northants moved from 186-6 to 250 all out. Greg Smith then scored an unbeaten century before rain caused an early closure with Leicestershire 159-2. But coach Tim Boon is poised to resign after previously calling for chairman Neil Davidson to step down. Northants started the day with wicketkeeper David Murphy and David Lucas on five and three respectively. Murphy was unable to add to his overnight total before he was trapped lbw by Hoggard, and the former Yorkshire seamer completed his 25th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket when he bowled Jack Brooks. Lucas and Lee Daggett added 46 for the ninth wicket, with Lucas making 31 before he strode down the pitch and missed Jigar Naik's straight delivery. Two balls later, Naik ended the innings by trapping Northants debutant David Burton lbw for a second-ball duck.  | 606: DEBATE |
Leicestershire lost Matthew Boyce to the final ball before lunch when he tamely struck Lucas to Burton at mid-on. They suffered another soft dismissal in the ninth over of the afternoon when Jacques du Toit (14) was caught and bowled by James Middlebrook. But Smith, who hit 158 not out in the second innings against Gloucestershire last week, went on to reach 50 off 65 balls with his ninth four. He and fellow youngster James Taylor then made the Northants bowlers toil, comfortably guiding their side to 145-2 at tea. Smith reached his century off 145 balls and he and Taylor were to complete their century partnership before their progress was soon halted by the weather.
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