LONDON. Aug 7: l^icestershire strengthened their county championship claim with a crushing victory inside two days against Somerset on Thursday, reports Reuters.
Leicestershire won by an innings and 25 runs after dismissing Somerset for 112 in their second innings, leaving two days and a session to spare.
Fast bowler Alan Ormond took three for 29 to finish with match figures of nine for 62. while Vic Wells’ three-wicket haul in the second innings gave him match statistics of six for 42.
Leicestershire, who are now only 20 points behind Surrey at the top of the table with a match in hand, made 271 in their first innings with Darren Maddy scoring 107 off 232 balls.
Alistair Brown hit 132 off only 179 balls with a six and 16 fours to guide Surrey to 333 on the first day of their match against Derbyshire at the Oval.
Alan Butcher. 44. and the father of England opener Mark, was called into the side after Jason Ratcliffe was dropped for disciplinary reasons and made
20 batting at No 8.
Gloucestershire, joint third with two games in hand, were forced to follow-on by Lancashire who are also mounting a strong challenge for the title.
They were bowled out in their first innings for 158 and were 11 for two in their second at the end of day two. Lancashire made 386 in their first innings.
Nineteen-year-old Legspinner Chris Schofield had his first major county success, claiming four for 56. while off-spinner Gary Yates finished with four for 64.
Brian Lara's massive innings came to an early end when he was dismissed for 226 at Lord's as Warwickshire made 466 against Middlesex.
Middlesex. 194 for four, still need 123 to avoid the follow-on.
Durham, consistently near the top this season, are 116 for five and still need another 195 runs to avoid the follow-on against Sussex.
Nottinghamshire, bowled out for 164 in their first innings. were 100 for two in their second innings against Worcestershire.
Worcestershire, led by cap-
tain Tom Moody's 112 with 17 fours, made 289. Notts' 18-year-old fast bowler Paul Franks took six for 63.