Niall O’Brien fell seven runs short of a century as he helped Leicestershire recover from 99 for three to 297 for six by the close on day two of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two match with Glamorgan at the SSE SWALEC.
Replying to Glamorgan’s first-innings total of 348, Leicestershire were in trouble after losing three wickets for 10 runs shortly before lunch.
Ireland wicketkeeper-batsman O’Brien had made two centuries on this ground – a career-best 182 for Northamptonshire four years ago and 133 in 2014 – but missed out on a third when he chased a wide delivery from Graham Wagg and was caught behind by Mark Wallace for 93.
He shared in useful partnerships of 43 with Paul Horton and then 82 with Mark Pettini but it was O’Brien’s contribution that enabled his team to get within three runs of three batting points and narrow the deficit to 51.
Glamorgan’s bowlers had suffered in the cold morning session as three chances were dropped in the slip cordon.
Craig Meschede, who bowled an excellent opening spell, was not impressed as Horton and Angus Robson were both reprieved.
The openers put on 89, before Michael Hogan found Robson’s edge, and Jacques Rudolph took a one-handed catch at second slip.
Ten runs had been added when David Lloyd was brought on for an exploratory over before lunch and responded by taking two wickets in five balls.
Neil Dexter slapped a short ball to Aneurin Donald at cover and then three deliveries later former Glamorgan player Mark Cosgrove was caught by Wallace.
Horton had 10 boundaries in his 67 before he fell lbw to Meschede.
There had been doubts whether Pettini would bat due to a back problem. Although limited in his movements he stayed with O’Brien for an hour and 40 minutes to put on 82 until he was undone by Timm van der Gugten.
The Dutchman picked up his first wicket for the county when he trapped Pettini lbw for 27.
O’Brien hit 12 fours in his 93 before he became the sixth man out with the total on 280.
Leicestershire added a further 17 runs and reached the close with Wayne White not out on 42 and Ben Raine unbeaten on eight.
Source: ECB