NORTHAMPTON took control of their match against Leicestershire to reduce the home side to 150 for eight at the close.

After no play was possible yesterday, Northamptonshire's South African all-rounder Andrew Hall completed his century this morning as they reached 387.

The visitors added 90 runs in 20.1 overs with Hall finishing unbeaten on 124, while Monty Panesar chipped in with a quickfire 24 off 22 balls.

Panesar was then unable to get into the action with the ball as the Northants seamers took centre stage to rip through the Foxes top order to leave them 19 for five at one stage.

David Lucas (four for 38) and Johan van der Wath (three for 35) were the destroyers-in-chief and only an unbeaten 50 from Jim Allenby restored some order for Leicestershire.

There was no play possible due to rain and bad light in the match between Surrey and Gloucestershire at the Brit Oval.

Surrey are struggling on 18 for three in reply to Gloucestershire's first-innings 333 all out with the only positive result, albeit an unlikely one, an away win.