County Championship: Steven Croft hits 98 not out for Lancashire

Steven Croft has hit three half-centuries so far this season in the county championship

Lancashire's Steven Croft hit an unbeaten 98 against Leicestershire in an even first day at Grace Road.

The right-handed captain shared half-century stands with all-rounder Jordan Clark (44) and Nathan Buck (25) after opener Paul Horton made 70.

But the visitors lost regular wickets as Charlie Shreck (3-92) and Tom Wells (3-68) kept Lancashire in check.

Simon Kerrigan edged behind the final ball of the day to give Niall O'Brien a fifth catch as the hosts reached 356-9.

Horton hit his third half-century of the season after Karl Brown and Alivro Petersen fell early and then shared a 93-run third-wicket partnership with Ashwell Prince before being caught behind off the bowling of Wells.

However, it was Croft's innings that kept the contest between the Division Two sides in the balance as he hit 12 fours to end the day two runs short of the his first century of the season.