Northants go top with innings win

Northamptonshire 557 for 9 dec beat Gloucestershire 288 and 263 by an innings and eight runs
Scorecard

Northamptonshire completed an innings-and-six-run win over Gloucestershire early on the final morning at Bristol.

Resuming on 248 for 8, having followed on 269 behind after first-innings centuries for Northants' Niall O'Brien and James Middlebrook, Gloucestershire were relying on Will Gidman, who was 76 not out at the start of play.

No. 10 David Payne, though, could only survive until the 10th ball of the morning, when he was caught by Andrew Hall off Lee Daggett for his overnight one. Last man Craig Miles hung around for another 21 minutes and, with Gidman reaching 81, there appeared the prospect of the hosts at least forcing their opponents to bat again.

But with six needed to salvage that sliver of pride, Daggett bowled Miles for five to complete figures of three for 42 and wrap up his side's maximum 24-point win, Gloucestershire taking just four.