Contrived chase comes to nothing

The weather was the winner as Leicestershire's County Championship Division Two game against Essex at Grace Road ended in a tame draw.

Essex were set a victory target of 270 in 60 overs, but in gloomy conditions umpires Peter Willey and Jeremy Lloyds finally abandoned the game at 3.45pm, with Essex on 30 for 2 from 12.2 overs. The draw earned Essex 10 points and Leicestershire nine.

A steady drizzle throughout the morning prevented any play before lunch, and Leicestershire resumed their second innings on 148 for 3 with 26 overs having been lost because of the stoppage.

But, in an attempt to fashion a positive result, Leicestershire were fed a diet of declaration bowling, and thrashed 158 runs off 7.3 overs before calling a halt to the carnage.

Ned Eckersley smashed 70 off 19 balls, hitting 13 fours and two sixes, Wayne White hit 50 off 12 and Ramnaresh Sarwan went from his overnight 61 to 98 in a matter of minutes before skying a catch to midwicket.

Adam Wheater conceded 86 runs in four overs and Mark Pettini 72 in 3.1 overs to enable Leicestershire to declare on 306 for five and set Essex 270 to win in 60 overs, but the chase never materialised.

Alviro Petersen was run out by a direct hit on the stumps from Josh Cobb and Billy Godleman edged behind chasing a delivery outside the off stump from Robbie Joseph.

One ball later the umpires decided the light was not good enough to continue and, with no sign of any improvement, abandoned the game after an early tea had been taken.