Leicestershire pitch out Durham with day to spare

Leicestershire are unlikely to suffer the fate of Middlesex and have points deducted for the state of their pitch after their Division One championship match with Durham ended with a day to spare.

With the visitors managing only 93 Leicestershire won by 217 runs. Phil Sharpe, a ECB liason officer, watched the game over the first two days as there had been concern over the pitch for two days before the game got underway. Vince Wells and Jack Birkenshaw, captain and manager of Leicestershire respectively,admitted that all was well with the pitch.

Birkenshaw stated: "We don't want pitches like this, but it was caused by circumstances." The ball kept low throughout. Ben Smith's fine first innings was exceptional in the circumstances and determined the outcome.

After recent disappointments Leicestershire were encouraged by their success.