Leaders find life difficult with winning post in sight

It was one of those soul-soaring autumn days in the East Midlands, trees like over-ripe broccoli, skies huge and blue. On the bright green benches of Grace Road, the County Championship resumed for its final three-round act.

- Tanya Aldred

Leicestershire, the runaway stars of Division Two, are in touching distance of promotion for the first time since 2003, but this was one of their more forgettable days. They are without Rehan Ahmed (England), Ben Green (Somerset), Liam Trevaskis and Tom Scriven (injured) and Gloucestershire were able to make merry – with a stylish hundred for Graeme van Buuren and half-centuries from Ben Charlesworth, Miles Hammond and James Bracey. Giant fast bowler Josh Hull collected three wickets, but was banned from bowling for the rest of the innings after sending down two beamers, along with 11 no-ba