Du Toit takes fight to Northants

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO
Grace Road (stumps, day two): Leicestershire 527 v Northants 144-1

Scorecard

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A maiden first-class century by Jacques du Toit helped Leicestershire to their biggest total for nearly two seasons on day two against Northants.

The 28-year-old shared a stand of 129 with captain Paul Nixon (79) before he nicked a lifting Nicky Boje delivery.

Boje, who also trapped Nixon lbw trying to sweep, finished with 4-120.

In reply, Stephen Peters (17) lost his leg stump to a Jermaine Lawson yorker but Niall O'Brien blasted his way to 76 not out as Northants closed on 144-1.

Du Toit struggled early in the day against short-pitched deliveries but eventually settled, striking a straight six off Boje.

Nixon's typically pugnacious knock included a six over long-on and his signature shot, the reverse sweep.

Eleventh man Lawson (35) compounded Northants' woes in the field with four fours and two sixes in a last-wicket stand of 44 with Nadeem Malik.