County Championship round-up: Saeed Ajmal signs off in style at Worcester

Saeed Ajmal, left, has taken 63 wickets in nine games (Getty Images)

Second Division leaders Worcestershire gave Saeed Ajmal a winning send-off as they overpowered Leicestershire by 204 runs at New Road and took another step towards securing promotion.

The Pakistan off-spinner took seven more wickets in the match for a total of 63 in nine games. He was aided by all-rounder Joe Leach in dismissing Leicestershire for 253.

Essex scraped to a two-wicket win over Hampshire thanks largely to Ravi Bopara’s unbeaten 48. Hampshire set Essex a target of 133 after being bowled out for 171 earlier today – with Jesse Ryder and pace bowler Greg Smith taking three and four wickets respectively – but they made hard work of the chase after a mid-order collapse.

In tonight’s Twenty20 Blast game, Kevin Pietersen hit 39 off 28 balls as Surrey overhauled Somerset’s total of 136 with five balls to spare to win by three wickets at The Oval.