Handscomb and Rahane Lead Leicestershire

Leicestershire 251 (Handscomb 46, van der Gugten 4-45, Douthwaite 4-49) and 369 for 6 (Handscomb 139, Rahane 102) drew with Glamorgan 550 for 9 dec (Ingram 257, Holland 4-96) by 155 runs.

Leicestershire's overseas players played a crucial role in securing a draw against Glamorgan, with Australia's Peter Handscomb ending the day unbeaten on 139, ensuring his team’s safety.

This match marked Handscomb’s final appearance of the English season before his return to Australia, though the draw does little to boost Leicestershire's slim chances of promotion, as they remain 22 points behind second-placed Middlesex.

India’s Ajinkya Rahane also contributed significantly with a century, anchoring the visitors' resistance. Liam Trevaskis provided solid support to Handscomb, helping Leicestershire reach 369 for 6, leading by 70 runs in their second innings before bad light ended play.

Glamorgan had brief moments of hope, courtesy of Kiran Carlson's part-time off-spin, which claimed two wickets, including that of Rahane. Dan Douthwaite was the only other bowler to take a wicket on a day where the hybrid pitch in Cardiff showed little sign of wear.

Leicestershire’s chances of survival hinged on their international stars, Rahane and Handscomb, who delivered in the morning session. Rahane smoothly advanced to his century before falling to Carlson, edging a wide delivery that wasn’t quite short enough to cut, caught behind by Chris Cooke for 102.

Shortly before lunch, Carlson struck again, with a ball that lifted outside off stump, causing Rehan Ahmed to steer it to Mason Crane in a deep gully.

Louis Kimber kept Glamorgan interested with a nervous start, offering a caught-and-bowled chance to legspinner Crane, who missed his fourth catch of the innings—this time a challenging one-handed attempt to his right.

Kimber then left a delivery from Timm van der Gugten that narrowly missed the middle stump, and although he edged a ball that was given out caught behind by Cooke, it was ruled not to have carried after the umpires consulted.

Douthwaite eventually broke through with two half-volleys—the first was driven for four by Kimber, but the second was hit in the air to Carlson at extra cover, who took a sharp catch. Meanwhile, Handscomb continued to accumulate runs steadily, carrying the team's hopes on his shoulders.

Glamorgan bowled long spells of spin, likely due to the poor light, and even tried unconventional tactics such as placing eight catchers in front of the bat in an arrowhead formation.

As Trevaskis and Handscomb built a solid partnership, the tension eased, and bad light ultimately brought the match to a close.