Mongia hits fifty as Leics settle for draw

London, June 4 (UNI) Dinesh Mongia scored 54 not out as Leicestershire settled for a draw against Northamptonshire in a Division Two match of the County Championship here.

Mongia and Hylton Ackerman (55 not out) shared an unbeaten 92-run partnership before Leicestershire decided against chasing the target of 372, set by Northamptonshire, on the final day of the match.

The Indian made 26 in the first innings and bowled 11 overs without taking any wicket.

Earlier, riding on brilliant hundred by South African all-rounder Lance Klusener, Northamptonshire scored 294 in their first innings after being put into bat by Leicestershire, who responded by making 331 with John Maunders (78) and Ackerman (92) top scoring for them.

In the second innings, Klusener added a fifty to his century as Northamptonshire declared on 344 for nine setting a target of 294 for their opponents, who settled for a draw after making 244 for the loss of two wickets.

It was a memorable match for Klusener, who also shone with the ball as he claimed six wickets in Leicestershire's first innings before claiming one more in the second.

In another Division Two match at Bristol, Zaheer Khan claimed the vital wicket of Hamish Marshall (102) as Gloucestershire reached 290 for 2 after Worcestershire had declared their first innings at 587 for eight.

Vikram Solanki slammed a career-best 22 while Steve Davies struck 192 for Worcestershire.

Gloucestershire responded well with the Kiwi pair Hamish Marshall and Craig Spearman (160 not out) making impressive inroads. Zaheer's bowling figure read 16-3-56-1.

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