T20: Worcestershire 188-9 beat Gloucestershire 175-8 by 13 runs
Gloucestershire lost their sixth straight one-day match to Worcestershire, as they fell 13 short of chasing the visitors' 188 at Bristol.
Again Glos failed to produce good enough all-round cricket to win and conceded above nine-an-over: surprising considering their recent successes have been in the field.
Steve Kirby's 2-28 from four overs were not backed up, as the Shire twice let Worcester get away, after a middle period that clawed the innings back from a 102 opening stand.
The bizarre experiment of opening with Vikram Banerjee failed miserably, and Banerjee's impact was completely neutralised - contributing to Glos facing their highest target in this year's competition.
The chase was actually quite admirable, and for a while the Shire had a sniff as Alex Gidman finally made some runs. His 64 shared a partnership of 94 with Hamish Marshall, but quick wickets scuppered the response, and the target eventually gained the better of the home side.
Just two points from four matches is exactly the opposite of what was required, and the pressure is now on to find a couple of wins to keep the Shire's interest in the competition continuing to the later period of the group stages.
Stuart Clark will no longer be joining Gloucestershire because he failed to achieve a work permit in the required time frame.
I cannot understand how the authorities have allowed this to happen. The system is quite ridiculous when a very straightforward application has to endure such a procedure, and is very much to the detriment of the Shire.
Good to see Gidman back among the runs, however if he is out for single figures in Chesterfield there will be debate to as if he's up to the job.
ReplyDeleteI made the second innings and saw a valiant display, especially from the captain and Spearman...but Marshall again didn't perform to his full potential. Someone needs to kick him up the backside.
If Glos want to make it through they will probabneed 7 wins, that means winning every game left - is it possible?
Stuart Clarke, mixed feelings, would have probably been good, but would have had to adjust to English conditions, that would have taken time.
Chesterfield awaits!
Strange game really - got ourselves back into it and I thought we'd paced our chase well up to 14 overs, it just came apart at the end.
ReplyDeleteTwo things:
1. I thought Banerjee did a good job in his opening over - I don't have the figures but Davies was struggling to get him away as I remember. What didn't work was taking him off immediately and putting Lewis on at that end, who then got carted around the park. (as with Hussain)
2. DM - I'm not sure what more you want from Hamish - he was second top scorer (41 off 24) and batted well in my opinion! Surely Spearman or Hodnett need criticising first? - and both of them we're out to decent catches.
In general I still feel we're improving, it just all has to click and we're there! Roll on Northants...