Northants build healthy lead

Lance Klusener reached an unbeaten 56 © Getty Images

Lance Klusener and Johannes van der Wath made undefeated half-centuries as Northamptonshire took control of their LV County Championship clash with Worcestershire at New Road.

The former South Africa international all-rounders, now playing in England on Kolpak registrations, added 111 in taking their side to 264 for seven - a lead of 118 - in a meeting of counties looking to build up promotion-chasing momentum.

Klusener, famed for his explosive batting on the world stage, was marginally the more conservative in reaching 56 from 78 balls, while Van der Wath hit 11 fours and a six as he accelerated to 69 from 86 deliveries.

With the match seriously curtailed by persistent showers - more than 180 overs have been lost in three days - the visitors still face a lot of hard work if they are to secure a third win in four Division Two games.

The third day began with the visitors only seven runs ahead and looking vulnerable when Nicky Boje (18) was bowled off his pads without addition to the overnight 153 for six.

Kabir Ali's fourth wicket of the innings raised Worcestershire's hopes of a speedy conclusion but they were to be disappointed as Simon Jones laboured without reward.

Having taken at least one wicket in every championship innings he has bowled in this summer, England's Ashes-winning hero was still empty-handed after delivering 16 overs for 50 runs.

Matt Mason was next into the attack, but the injury-hit Australian-born paceman failed to repeat his return of 2-9 from six overs on the first day. In five more overs, he conceded 32 runs.

Mason's second championship appearance in two seasons took a turn for the worse when Van der Wath went down the pitch and drove a six to long-on.

Klusener was more fortunate when top-edging over the slips for four but Mason's morning ended badly when Van der Wath stormed past 50, while registering three boundaries in the last over before lunch.

Klusener completed his fifty after the interval but the afternoon session lasted for just short of six overs before rain caused the third interruption of the day.

After a 100-minute delay, the teams got into the middle again after tea but the final attempt to re-start amounted to four balls. Another heavy downpour ruled out any further play.