WORCESTERSHIRE will aim to maintain their push towards the top of Specsavers County Championship Division Two at Northamptonshire, starting tomorrow (11am).

The third-placed County are 22 points adrift of table-topping Essex after a thrilling three-wicket home win over Leicestershire.

Joe Clarke hit a controversial century as the hosts successfully chased a target of 366 in 75 overs to win with 10 balls to spare.

Clarke was given out lbw on 31 by umpire Jeremy Lloyds only to be recalled as square-leg umpire Graham Lloyd had heard an edge off the bat.

Northamptonshire are excelling in the NatWest T20 Blast but have not won a game in the four-day campaign.

County director of cricket Steve Rhodes praised his players for standing up for themselves in the Leicestershire win.

Clarke admitted he was spurred on by some verbal exchanges with Leicestershire’s players after he was recalled to the middle.

Rhodes said: “That is another plus factor from the game. We are a very young side but are showing now we can stand up to some of the bullies.

“That is really important because down the line we need to show character and skill in winning games.

“Now people are definitely recognising the lads are maturing and can stand up for themselves.

“They don’t need other people standing up for them and they are hopefully telling the opposition there are two sides out there playing.”

Clarke said: “The Leicestershire boys had a bit to say. That was really good actually. That really helped us because I’m someone who quite likes getting a bit of stick.

“It spurs me on and Rossco (Whiteley) is the same. They tried to get stuck into us and that helped us build that century partnership on the last day.”

Worcestershire: Mitchell, D’Oliveira, Fell, Clarke, Kohler-Cadmore, Whiteley, Cox, Leach, Barnard, Shantry, Abbott, Kervezee, Morris.