Millns leads the assault as Somerset are demolished of

Round-up

Leicestershire stepped up their Championship challenge yesterday by bowling out Somerset for 83, the third-lowest Championship score of the season, at their Grace Road headquarters. They followed up by reaching 202 for 5 by the close.

On a damp, greenish pitch, it was the seamers who did the damage after Somerset had been put in. David Millns took 4 for 35 to bring his season's haul to 56 wickets and there were two wickets each for Gordon Parsons, Phil Simmons and Vince Wells.

Liam Botham, followed his five-wicket haul for Hampshire by making 30 on his debut against Middlesex at Portsmouth, but he hit only two boundaries in an hour-long innings. The visitors, 33 runs behind on first innings, reached 226 for 1 in their second by the close, courtesy of an unbeaten 106 by Jason Pooley.

Bill Athey compiled a typically painstaking century to help Sussex take control by reaching 285 for 6 against Lancashire on a flat wicket at Hove. The former England opener struck 15 boundaries in a gritty stay of nearly four and a half hours for his 111.

Athey, who offered a difficult chance to Hegg off Ian Austin on 43, also had a let-off having added three more when dropped at midwicket off Jason Gallian.

From 147 for 3, Athey put on 70 in 24 overs with Keith Newell, who was playing in only his second Championship game of the season in place of the injured Martin Speight, ground out 31.

Austin struck again shortly before stumps by having Peter Moores caught at cover and the pace bowler finished 3 for 34.