Declaration leaves outside chance of result

DAY 3 Close: Gloucestershire 400-9dec. & 19-0 lead Glamorgan 350-8dec. by 68 runs (PTS: Glos 7 Glam 7)
LIVE ball-by-ball commentary: http://www.gloscricketradio.co.uk/

Gloucestershire toiled away throughout day three at Bristol, but failed to take maximum bowling points as Glamorgan declared on 350-8.

The flat, docile surface allowed Glamorgan to rack up 216 for the first wicket - although Will Bragg did retire hurt on 92 - and for times it seemed a wicket would never arrive, but Jon Lewis struck with three wickets in eight balls to reignite Glos' chances.

The Shire currently lead by 69 and would need to extend that to 250 in order to dangle a carrot to their visitors while remaining safely enough in front; the draw is still the banker.

South African Herschelle Gibbs provided the afternoon's entertainment, as he struck 96 from 120 balls, before falling as one of three Steve Kirby victims with the second new ball. But until the second new ball, Kirby was largely uneffective on the slow pitch; it had been Lewis that conjured something with the old ball and he picked up a five-for.

The only loser of this match could well be Steve Adshead. After failing with the bat he posted himself at the bottom of the wicketkeeping pecking order with an afternoon to forget with the gloves. Balls were dropped with unnerving regularity, including a very straightforward catch, and a simple stumping opportunity was spilled off Chris Taylor.

Coverage continues tomorrow: http://www.gloscricketradio.co.uk/
Official report: http://www.gloscricket.co.uk/