Eckersley and Thornely bat out for draw

Centuries from Michael Thornely and Ned Eckersley helped Leicestershire bat out a draw on the final day against Glamorgan at Cardiff. Thornely, on Leicestershire debut, had a good game adding 131 to his first innings of 97, putting on 245 in 88 overs with Eckersley - who ended on a career best 137 not out.

Leicestershire declared their second innings on 316 for 2 - a lead of 38 - at 4.50pm with the match petering out into a tame draw on a dead pitch. Glamorgan, who used 10 bowlers during the Leicestershire second innings, take 10 points from this basement battle to Leicestershire's six - but the Welsh county remain rooted to the bottom of Division Two. At the beginning of the day Glamorgan were favourites to secure their first win of the campaign with Leicestershire resuming on 84 for 1, still 203 runs in arrears. But a pitch which offered the bowlers less throughout the day allowed Leicestershire to stave off the threat of defeat.

Thornely and Eckersley had come together in the eighth over of the innings yesterday afternoon and frustrated Glamorgan either side of lunch. Leicestershire enjoyed a fairly blemish-free morning session as Thornely and Eckersley took the visitors to 178 for 1 at lunch.

Thornely had one moment of good fortune in the day's opening over as he top-edged a pull off Huw Waters which went for four. He continued to ride his luck as he edged Waters between first and second slip but a legitimate drive for four off James Harris enabled the opener to reached his half-century from 127 balls. And Eckersley also reached his 50 from six fewer deliveries.

John Glover nearly held on to a return catch from Thornely in his first over but Thornely finished the morning with a flourish as he despatched Marcus North for six over midwicket. It was a frustrating pre-lunch session for Glamorgan, who used seven bowlers during the opening 29 overs. And even with the availability of the second new ball Glamorgan were not able to exact a breakthrough as the second pair brought up the 200 partnership. Thornely celebrated his maiden first-class 100 from 235 balls and Eckersley went to his soon after from two more balls than his partner.

Glamorgan's only wicket of the day came when Thornely drove Jim Allenby straight to cover point but Eckersley and stand-in captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (25 not out) saw Leicestershire to the close as the home side used part-time bowlers in the final overs.