All-rounder Jon Dakin returned after a bout of flu to take three for 14 in five overs and bowl top-of-the-table Leicestershire Foxes into a strong position in their Norwich Union League game with Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Grace Road.

Dakin was the seventh bowler used by Vince Wells after he had won the toss and put the visitors in. But his five overs at the death proved just what the Foxes wanted as the Steelbacks failed to cope with his pace and bounce.

It had been a great start for the home side as well with new ball pair James Ormond and Scott Boswell restricting Northants to 42 for three in the first 15 overs. Ormond claimed two for 25 in his nine overs and Boswell one for 27.

The best partnership for the Steelbacks was between the Swann brothers, Graeme and Alex, who put on 43 for the fourth wicket before Graeme was trapped lbw by Darren Maddy. Alex went on to hit a top score of 47 but was eventually caught by Dakin off Daniel Marsh as Northants totalled 172 for nine off their 45 overs.

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