WORCESTERSHIRE all-rounder Joe Leach is now the leading wicket-taker in Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship.

The all-rounder picked up a further seven wickets in the 311 run away triumph over Northamptonshire.

It lifted Leach's seasonal tally in the Championship to 38 from nine games- one more than Leicestershire's Clint McKay.

The 25-year-old is on course to emulate last season's total of 59 victims - two more than Jack Shantry.

Leach's 5-70 in the first innings at Wantage Road was his third five wicket haul of the season.

He had previously returned 5-115 versus Essex at New Road and 5-99 against Leicestershirer at the Fischer County Ground.

Only five bowlers in Division Two have taken 30 plus wickets - an indication of the change in condition of pitches since the new 'toss' rule came into place.

Leach's county team-mate, Matt Henry, has ended his spell with 27 Championship wickets from six games - the seventh highest tally in Division Two.

THE LEADING WICKET-TAKERS (25 OR MORE) ARE:

1 LEACH (WORCS) Matches 9, Wickets 38, Average 27.97.

2 McKay (Leics) 9, 37, 21.62.

3 Porter (Essex) 8, 35, 27.17.

4 Napier (Essex) 8, 34, 26.06.

5 Bopara (Essex) 9, 30, 21.00.

6 Claydon (Kent) 8, 28, 38.79.

7 HENRY (WORCS) 6, 27, 26.52.

8 Norwell (Gloucs) 5, 25, 24.76.