Hain ton edges Bears nearer to Championship title

Rothesay County Championship, Division One, Edgbaston (day two)

Leicestershire 125 & 55-3: Budinger 43*; Bamber 2-27

Warwickshire 372: Hain 142, Barnard 88; A Patel 3-78

Leicestershire (3 pts) trail Warwickshire (6 pts) by 192 runs

Sam Hain hit a splendid day two century against relegation-threatened Leicestershire at Edgbaston to keep Warwickshire on course to win a ninth County Championship title.

In seamer-friendly conditions, Hain compiled a highly-skilled 142 from 301 balls - his 21st century in first-class cricket - as the Bears reached 372 to take a substantial first-innings lead of 247.

Hain, who reached his 1,000 first-class runs for the season, for only the second time, was well supported by Ed Barnard who made 88 in a partnership of 165 in 50 overs.