Hants relegated as Leics keep survival hopes alive
Hampshire are relegated from Division One as Leicestershire chase a target of 334 to keep their own survival hopes alive.
On the final day of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match at Uptonsteel Grace Road in Leicester, Leicestershire secured a five-wicket victory over Hampshire, relegating the latter to Division Two for the first time since their promotion in 2014. Hampshire managed to score 214 in the first innings and 363 in the second innings, while Leicestershire posted 244 in the first innings and 335-5 in the second innings.
New Zealand international Nick Kelly and wicketkeeper Ben Cox were pivotal in Leicestershire's success, as they shared a 158-run fifth-wicket partnership to help the home team chase down 334 required to win. The result means Leicestershire retains a mathematical chance of survival going into the final week of the season, despite being handed a 27-point penalty for preparing a sub-standard pitch for their previous win against Glamorgan.
Leicestershire will need to win their final match against Warwickshire by a margin of 20 points to avoid relegation.
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