Leicestershire joy after rain-ruined draw with Glo'sters

THERE was no thrilling finale on the field but Leicestershire could celebrate nonetheless after securing the draw with Gloucestershire that, in the event, ensured their promotion to Division One of the Rothesay County Championship.

- By JON CULLEY

With two fixtures still to play, the result at the Uptonsteel County Ground, combined with the draw between Middlesex and Derbyshire at Lord's, guarantees that Leicestershire will finish in the top two in Division Two and end a 22-year-exile from the top division.

Set 316 to win from a minimum 74 overs when Gloucestershire, who felt their outside chance of a promotion required them to win here, declared four overs before lunch on 175-3 in their second innings, Leicestershire were 93-1 from 30.3 when the afternoon's third interruption for rain proved heavy enough for the final day's play to be abandoned at 4.10pm.