COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: A second ton of the campaign, followed by James Sales and George Bartlett's useful partnership, gives the hosts a 60-run lead
Northampton (day two of four): Worcestershire 306, Northamptonshire 366-5 - Northamptonshire lead by 60 runs with five first-innings wickets remaining
Ricardo Vasconcelos struck a superb 115, his second century of the season, as Northamptonshire took a narrow lead over Worcestershire with five wickets in hand on day two of this County Championship match at Wantage Road.
It was a contrasting innings of watchful defence and crisp strokeplay, as Vasconcelos struck 18 boundaries and was particularly strong through the covers. It follows his 127 against Kent last month.
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He was joined by Saif Zaib in a proactive fourth-wicket stand of 101 in 20 overs. County cricket's leading run-scorer last season, Zaib has had limited opportunities so far but seized his chance with a near run-a-ball 75.
When the pair were parted, James Sales (44 not out) and George Bartlett (35 not out) combined in a telling unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 79 against the new ball to push Northamptonshire in front. They closed on 366 for 5, leading by 60, before bad light stopped play
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