DAY 1 Close: Gloucestershire 54-2 trail Leicestershire 295 by 241 runs (PTS: Glos 3, Leics 2)
LIVE ball-by-ball commentary on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Gloucestershire's body language on day one at Grace Road suggested they were a side with not a lot to play for. Rocked by the news of Steve Kirby's departure, they let the initiative slip and ended the day on the back foot.
Steve Kirby decided he could not longer play second division cricket. He has more to achieve in the game and one cannot begrudge his ambitions. He has been a stalwart of Gloucestershire - resurrecting his career with the county in 2005 - enjoying six seasons and claiming 64 wickets last season in a vintage year.
Kirby turned down a benefit to depart Nevil Road so he must have been dead set in his decision. He is a fine man and a cricketer you would always want on your side. Good luck to him.
To start with, Gloucestershire responded very well to that news and a miserable last week. They reduced their hosts to 36-3 before Paul Nixon played a stern dogged innings to get things going again. His protege, Tom New, top scored with 63 as batting became easier into the afternoon.
The visitors misery against the tail also returned. Leicestershire added 69 for the last two wickets and made the largest total in the first-innings of a match against Gloucestershire for some time. Pressure that Gloucestershire are not used to.
Predictably given the swing in momentum, Will Porterfield and Chris Dent fell leg before to consecutive balls from Nathan Buck. Buck is a fine young British prospect and bowled beautifully with the new ball - consistency that the Gloucestershire attack rarely found - save a brief James Franklin spell in the afternoon.
LIVE coverage continues tomorrow on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Maybe Kirby's departure is a blessing in disguise - it's not like Gloucestershire are short of fast bowlers, and the money saved could be used to invest in some decent batting. How about Owais Shah?
ReplyDeleteSorry! I thought I read 'invest in some decent batting' but then Owais Shah's name was mentioned. Must be time to go to bed.
ReplyDelete@Graham
ReplyDeleteA good hundred for Shah yesterday in his final match for Middlesex - most Glos batsman would kill to have a record like his this season. Have you got any better suggestions?