FOUR wickets in nine balls from Claude Henderson cemented Leicestershire's advantage on the third day of the Frizzell County Championship Division Two fixture against Worcestershire at New Road.

The County avoided the follow-on but folded for 290, a deficit of 115, and saw this increased to 312 as their second-from-bottom opponents reached 197 for five at last night's close.

The home side resumed 228 behind and added only six runs before Steven Davies (25) was sixth out in just the second over.

Vikram Solanki (44) attempted a drive off Charl Willoughby and gave wicketkeeper Paul Nixon his fifth catch of the innings. But Worcestershire eased their worries with a stand of 75 by Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali.

Batty hit six fours in his 46 and Kabir was left unbeaten on 37 when left-arm spinner Henderson took the remaining three wickets to finish with four for 72.

Shoaib Akhtar did not get the new ball when Leicestershire batted again and eventually delivered a lack-lustre spell of three overs for 15 runs. In complete contrast, Kabir was sharp and lively in capturing three of the first four wickets.

Darren Robinson edged to the wicketkeeper and first innings century-maker John Maunders gave a catch to Chris Gayle at first slip.

A period of spin up to tea saw Ray Price dismiss HD Ackerman, but Kabir returned to knock back Tom New's (49) off-stump. Leicestershire needed an unbeaten 52 from Aftab Habib to steer them to 197-5 at the close.