Sarwan innings helps give Leicestershire lead

LEICESTER, England (CMC) — Former West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan missed out on a half-century but Leicestershire took first innings lead over Worcestershire at Grace Road here Monday.

Playing on day two of the County Championship Division Two game, the right-hander stroked 43 as the hosts were dismissed for 278, in reply to the visitors' first innings of 237.

At the close, Worcestershire were 76 for one with opener Daryl Mitchell unbeaten on 44.

Resuming the day on 58 for two with Sarwan on 13, Leicestershire lost opener Greg Smith for 22 without any addition to their overnight score.

However, Sarwan, the Leicestershire captain, combined in a fourth wicket stand of 104 with Josh Cobb, who hit 63, to stitch up the innings.

Sarwan faced 122 balls in just under three hours at the crease and struck four fours, while Cobb was more aggressive, counting nine fours and a six in an innings that consumed 108 balls in just over two hours.

Both batsmen were dismissed in successive overs with the score on 162, but the tail wagged to give Leicestershire the lead.