O'Brien pummels Foxes

O'Brien: smashed unbeaten 94

Niall O'Brien backed up some brilliant bowling by Andrew Hall to lead Northamptonshire to a seven-wicket win over Leicestershire in their Clydesdale Bank 40 opener.

Hall made mincemeat of the Foxes' top order and came back to see off the tail as they set Northants a paltry 163 for victory at Wantage Road.

But it was O'Brien's sublime innings of 94 not out that will be remembered by the home faithful as he saw them home with 59 balls to spare.

The Ireland wicketkeeper was at his pugnacious best, hammering 14 fours and four sixes in a 63-ball knock.

O'Brien dominated a stand of 75 with Stephen Peters (34) and saw the Steelbacks over the line with one final six off Claude Henderson after Matthew Hoggard grabbed his second wicket late in the day.

Shreds

Earlier only James Taylor's attacking 69 had enabled Leicestershire to reach 162 all out as Hall ripped them to shreds.

The South African all-rounder took the first two wickets to fall and returned to prise out Taylor and two more tail-enders.

His return of 5-22 was just reward for bowling consistent line and length.