Only half an hour's play was possible at Grace Road yesterday, time enough for Leicestershire to rush through 14.2 overs to improve their over rate. Had there been no play, they would have been penalised three points, but through using the spin of Claude Henderson and Jacques du Toit, they were able to avoid any penalty.

Northamptonshire were also keen to get out to the middle because they were able to garner a third batting point. As soon as they had done so, Leicestershire brought on a quick bowler, whereupon the batsmen were conveniently offered the light.

Leicestershire: First Innings 527 (J du Toit 103, H H Dippenaar 80, P A Nixon 79, J Allenby 70, H D Ackerman 62; N Boje 4 for 120)

Northamptonshire: First Innings (overnight 276-3)

D J G Sales not out 62

R A White not out 69

Extras (b 10, lb 12, w 1, nb 20) 43

Total (3 wkts, 89 overs) 302

*N Boje, L Klusener, A J Hall, J J van der Wath, D S Lucas and J F Brown did not bat.

Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-157, 3-157.

Bowling: Malik 18-3-61-1; Du Preez 15-7-30-1; Henderson 28-11-49-0; Lawson 13-1-96-1; Allenby 8-1-29-0; Du Toit 7-0-15-0.

Umpires: M J D Bodenham and B Leadbeater.