Day 3, Close: Kent 208 & 52/2 need another 239 to beat Gloucestershire 292 & 206 (PTS: Kent 4, Glos 5)
Rain may have curtailed play on day three at Canterbury but Gloucestershire's prospects of victory are looking bright. With Joe Denly unable to bat with a fractured thumb, the visitors need another seven wickets for a second championship win.
The second breakthrough just before the rain break - Sam Northeast caught behind off Saxelby - tips the scoreboard in the Glosters' favour. With plenty of runs to play with and showers around the area tomorrow, Gloucestershire should win.
I said 200 at least was needed from the second innings and it was just provided. It was a nervy affair as Gloucestershire slipped to 91-5: an in-and-out trick from Alex Gidman again - his second score of the match in the 20s - after the top order collectively got starts and failed.
But they edged 200 to set Kent a tough target and one that Gloucestershire should be able to defend tomorrow.
Much depends on how the baseball players go - Martin van Jaarsveld and Darren Stevens both have unusual pickups with the bat raised high before the bowler enters their delivery stride. Very curious. Maybe it's a Kent-thing because young Adam Ball also employs the same pickup.
Good report, as usual.
ReplyDeleteCould you comment on Batty's batting?
He appeared to scratch around against Cardiff students. How is he shaping at the wicket in this match?
Great work guys, enjoy reading your reports. Good start from Marshall-could certainly do with a big year from him. I wonder how long it will take this year for one of our players to get a century-my moneys on Hamish!
ReplyDeleteBatty looks more comfortable down the order, as I suppose anyone would. But he's nice to have in that number six slot. He'll get a few this year.
ReplyDeleteStill looking for a big player at the top of the order to build around - i'm hoping Kane Williamson will be our man. First time we've signed a genuine batsman for a long time so hopefully we get our moneys-worth.