da jogodeouro： Hampshire are well set to push for a victory against unbeaten Leicestershire that, if achieved, would take them back to the top of the County Championship Second Division
Press Association20-May-2014
ScorecardMatt Coles scored useful runs for Hampshire (file picture)•Getty Images
Hampshire will look to return to the top of DivisionTwo on Wednesday after Matt Coles’ unbeaten half-century put them in controlagainst Leicestershire at Grace Road.Worcestershire’s three-day win over Essex saw Hampshire drop to second in thetable, but victory at Grace Road would see them move back above their promotion rivals.On a day of fluctuating fortunes, the visitors several times appeared to beheading for a sizeable second-innings total only to lose wickets in quicksuccession.But an unbroken stand of 46 for the ninth wicket between Coles and Danny Briggsbefore bad light brought play to an early halt could prove decisive, asHampshire finished on 306 for 8 – a lead of 342.That looks likely to leave the Foxes with a difficult chase on an increasinglyslow pitch, with visiting captain Jimmy Adams left to weigh up whether todeclare overnight or press on in the morning.Adams’ side enjoyed a perfect start to the day as Charlie Shreck held out forjust two balls before an attempted heave off James Tomlinson produced an edge towicketkeeper Michael Bates, with Leicestershire failing to add to theirovernight first-innings score of 296.That left the Foxes 36 behind, but Shreck swiftly struck with ball in hand tooust Adams lbw for 8.Adams’ fellow opener Will Smith made brisk progress to 46, but the returningAnthony Ireland had him snared by Jigar Naik at first slip with the sixth ballof his second spell.Joe Gatting had made just 87 runs in seven Championship innings this season,and survived a big leg-before shout from Shreck as he took 22 balls to get offthe mark.But the former Sussex man settled down and thrashed a couple of drives throughthe covers as Hampshire reached 89 for 2 at lunch – a lead of 125.Shreck conceded 16 runs in the first over after the interval as the in-formJames Vince stroked a series of well-timed shots either side of the wicket.Vince dominated a stand of 90 with Gatting, passing fifty for the seventh timein ten Championship innings, only to fall lbw to Nathan Buck a short time laterfor 56.Gatting progressed steadily to 44 before inexplicably pulling Buck straight toAngus Robson at deep square leg, and Adam Wheater was also guilty of throwinghis wicket away when well set as he made 44 before driving Shreck’s first ballafter tea to Robson at extra cover.Sean Ervine fell in the same over, edging to Naik at first slip, but Bates andColes dug in to add 41 for the seventh wicket before the former edged spinnerNaik to wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien attempting to cut.Once again one wicket was swiftly followed by another – Kyle Abbott run outwithout scoring in the next over when bowler Rob Taylor deflected Coles’straight drive onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end.Coles thumped nine boundaries in an unbeaten 53, and found a willing ally inBriggs, who made 26 not out before darkness set in.Shreck was the pick of the home side’s bowlers, finishing the day with figuresof 3 for 78.