COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Northants 250 & 10-1, Leics 448-9
Leics 7pts, Northants 3pts
Match scorecard

Taylor amassed his innings of 156 off 316 balls

Leicestershire's hopes of promotion evaporated despite an innings of 156 from James Taylor which left them with a chance of victory at Wantage Road.

Taylor's effort helped them to 448-9 but slow scoring meant they missed out on a fifth vital batting point.

As Northants toiled in the field their one stand-out display came from debutant David Burton who claimed 5-75.

They lost Stephen Peters, trapped lbw by Nathan Buck, as they closed on 10-1 in their second innings, 188 behind.

Beginning the day on 159-2 the visitors saw centurion Greg Smith (104) depart to a Burton delivery which removed his leg stump.

That saw the baton passed to Taylor who advanced patiently from his overnight 32 to a half-century.

The 20-year-old received strong support from Paul Nixon (65) as he reached his sixth first-class hundred after lunch.

Jack Brooks finally halted their 132-run partnership when Nixon edged him to wicketkeeper David Murphy.

Tom New (43) added 68 more runs with Taylor before slashing James Middlebrook to David Lucas.

Taylor was eventually out when he skied a Burton delivery to David Sales.

The same combination accounted for Jigar Naik before Buck played onto his stumps from Burton.

He claimed his fifth wicket by clean bowling Matthew Hoggard with the next ball.

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