LVCC: Gloucestershire 420 & 45-0 beat Middlesex 236 & 228 by 10 wickets (PTS: Glos 23, Midd 3)
If Gloucestershire are to compete at a higher level in county cricket, poor sides like Middlesex need to be swatted away. They certainly were at Bristol.
Coming out to bat 184 behind is never easy but Middlesex found it far too hard against a quality bowling attack. Jon Lewis produced his classic stuff to chip off the top three before the rest of the attack ground Middlesex down, using the conditions very well - seven of the dismissals were catches behind the wicket.
Gloucestershire's far superior bowling attack was the difference in this match as the home side cruised to a three-day win.
Twice the five-man seam attack bowled Middlesex out for modest totals. It was relentless stuff. Steve Kirby and Anthony Ireland charging in and James Franklin, Gemaal Hussain and Lewis swinging their way around a weak Middlesex line-up.
Neil Dexter pulled his socks up to make 54 for the visitors but he was incredibly lucky with several edges flying wide of fielders. Middlesex, very much under pressure from the scoreboard, offered little.
Their bowling was missing Iain O'Brien, Gareth Berg and Steve Finn and, missing three quality bowlers, their attack lacked bite and spinner Tom Smith found little help off another surface which offered more for the seam bowlers.
But Gloucestershire performed very well with the bat, everyone just about got among the runs and gained a confidence boost ahead of a tough test against Sussex next week.
Official report: www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Glos take control at Bristol
DAY 2 Close: Gloucestershire 404-8 lead Middlesex 236 by 168 runs (PTS: Glos 7, Midd 3)
LIVE ball-by-ball commentary: www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Gloucestershire dominated day two at Bristol to set themselves up for an high-points victory in a match they had earmarked to win.
But a great day with the bat - contributions all down the card and a match-winning lead - was soured by five more innings passing 50 but failing to make three figures.
James Franklin, on 99, faced the military medium-pace of the Middlesex skipper Neil Dexter. Having offered a long-hop earlier in the over that Franklin had turned for a single, the next short delivery was too much for Franklin to resist.
His eyes lit up, the ball was sailing into the tennis courts and the crowd was cheering their star overseas player in celebration of a century.
But Franklin, like Alex Gidman against Leicestershire and Chris Dent against Derbyshire, found the lone fielder in the deep to be dismissed one short of the magical three figures.
A century is becoming truly elusive for Gloucestershire. Day two saw attractive innings from Hamish Marshall and Chris Dent, who began the dominance with an excellent stand of 126 for the third wicket. But Dent chipped a short ball from Toby Rolland-Jones to square-leg for 53 and Marshall played round a delivery from Dexter to become the first of two quick-victims just after lunch.
The Bristol wicket is looking flatter and flatter and Franklin and Jon Lewis, who made 30, helped themselves and looked totally untroubled until both made mistakes. Lewis ludicrously running himself out before fate intervened for Franklin's demise.
LIVE coverage continues tomorrow on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Official report: www.gloscricket.co.uk
LIVE ball-by-ball commentary: www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Gloucestershire dominated day two at Bristol to set themselves up for an high-points victory in a match they had earmarked to win.
But a great day with the bat - contributions all down the card and a match-winning lead - was soured by five more innings passing 50 but failing to make three figures.
James Franklin, on 99, faced the military medium-pace of the Middlesex skipper Neil Dexter. Having offered a long-hop earlier in the over that Franklin had turned for a single, the next short delivery was too much for Franklin to resist.
His eyes lit up, the ball was sailing into the tennis courts and the crowd was cheering their star overseas player in celebration of a century.
But Franklin, like Alex Gidman against Leicestershire and Chris Dent against Derbyshire, found the lone fielder in the deep to be dismissed one short of the magical three figures.
A century is becoming truly elusive for Gloucestershire. Day two saw attractive innings from Hamish Marshall and Chris Dent, who began the dominance with an excellent stand of 126 for the third wicket. But Dent chipped a short ball from Toby Rolland-Jones to square-leg for 53 and Marshall played round a delivery from Dexter to become the first of two quick-victims just after lunch.
The Bristol wicket is looking flatter and flatter and Franklin and Jon Lewis, who made 30, helped themselves and looked totally untroubled until both made mistakes. Lewis ludicrously running himself out before fate intervened for Franklin's demise.
LIVE coverage continues tomorrow on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Official report: www.gloscricket.co.uk
Monday, June 28, 2010
Glos wobble at end of competitive day
DAY 1 Close: Gloucestershire 81-2 trail Middlesex 236 by 155 runs (PTS: Glos 3, Midd 1)
LIVE ball-by-ball commentary: www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Alex Gidman made a brave decision at the start of this match, winning the toss and choosing to bowl first in glorious sunny conditions. The bravery nearly paid off.
Having chosen to bat under heavy cloud at New Road, Gidman again caused a surprise with his decision at the toss.
Gloucestershire posses a fine seam attack for this match and they nearly dominated the opening day by using the green-tinged surface to reduce Middlesex to 156-7.
But Josh Davey enjoyed an excellent debut. The 19-year-old playing some confident strokes and maturely playing with the tail to guide his side to a handy first-innings total.
Gloucestershire were up to their usual tricks at the start of their innings. Abdul-Kadeer Ali and Jon Batty again failing by playing back when they should have been forward.
Ali misread the length of a stock delivery by Pedro Collins that clipped the top of off and middle stumps, gone for just 13 after being frustrated at being left out at Worcester.
Batty played across the line to another Collins delivery, this time a very full ball that Batty missed to be leg before for 20.
LIVE coverage continues tomorrow on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Official report: www.gloscricket.co.uk
LIVE ball-by-ball commentary: www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Alex Gidman made a brave decision at the start of this match, winning the toss and choosing to bowl first in glorious sunny conditions. The bravery nearly paid off.
Having chosen to bat under heavy cloud at New Road, Gidman again caused a surprise with his decision at the toss.
Gloucestershire posses a fine seam attack for this match and they nearly dominated the opening day by using the green-tinged surface to reduce Middlesex to 156-7.
But Josh Davey enjoyed an excellent debut. The 19-year-old playing some confident strokes and maturely playing with the tail to guide his side to a handy first-innings total.
Gloucestershire were up to their usual tricks at the start of their innings. Abdul-Kadeer Ali and Jon Batty again failing by playing back when they should have been forward.
Ali misread the length of a stock delivery by Pedro Collins that clipped the top of off and middle stumps, gone for just 13 after being frustrated at being left out at Worcester.
Batty played across the line to another Collins delivery, this time a very full ball that Batty missed to be leg before for 20.
LIVE coverage continues tomorrow on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Official report: www.gloscricket.co.uk
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Glos sneak home for third win
t20: Gloucestershire 153-6 beat Middlesex 147-7 by four runs
Gloucestershire picked up only their third win in ten t20 matches as they beat Middlesex at Bristol.
While not quite getting their campaign back on track, it was at least a victory to appease long-suffering supporters.
The key to defending such a small total was to remove the most dangerous player. Middlesex, although - mercifully for Gloucestershire - now without Adam Gilchrist - still have another Australian in their ranks, but David Warner became the first of two quite expensive wickets for David Payne, on his t20 debut, for just 17.
Dawid Malan produced a useful knock of 44 from 39 balls but there were no partnerships for Middlesex to really get into the chase. Ben Scott - in tremendous recent form - made 25 from 15 balls but Middlesex came up short.
A solid partnership had built Gloucestershire's handy total. Alex Gidman - back from injury to captain the side - and Hamish Marshall shared 94 for the fourth wicket from 64 balls. It was an excellent middle-order partnership but nothing significant came from the top three, so the home side only finished with an average total.
TOMORROW'S county championship match against Middlesex will begin at 1200 BST. Days two, three and four will begin at the usual time of 1100 BST. Listen to LIVE ball-by-ball commentary on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Gloucestershire picked up only their third win in ten t20 matches as they beat Middlesex at Bristol.
While not quite getting their campaign back on track, it was at least a victory to appease long-suffering supporters.
The key to defending such a small total was to remove the most dangerous player. Middlesex, although - mercifully for Gloucestershire - now without Adam Gilchrist - still have another Australian in their ranks, but David Warner became the first of two quite expensive wickets for David Payne, on his t20 debut, for just 17.
Dawid Malan produced a useful knock of 44 from 39 balls but there were no partnerships for Middlesex to really get into the chase. Ben Scott - in tremendous recent form - made 25 from 15 balls but Middlesex came up short.
A solid partnership had built Gloucestershire's handy total. Alex Gidman - back from injury to captain the side - and Hamish Marshall shared 94 for the fourth wicket from 64 balls. It was an excellent middle-order partnership but nothing significant came from the top three, so the home side only finished with an average total.
TOMORROW'S county championship match against Middlesex will begin at 1200 BST. Days two, three and four will begin at the usual time of 1100 BST. Listen to LIVE ball-by-ball commentary on www.gloscricketradio.co.uk
Friday, June 25, 2010
Once more into defeat for Glos
t20: Hampshire 205-5 beat Gloucestershire 177 by 28 runs
Gloucestershire lost again at the Rose Bowl and constant defeat is now becoming an extremely painful monotony.
Unfortunately once again, Gloucestershire were left searching for positives from a poor display, having been outplayed by simply a much better cricket club.
The gulfs between these two counties were bluntly exposed in the pro40 fixture last season and again, Gloucestershire seemed world's apart from the glitzy Rose Bowl evening.
Their last six wickets went down for just 13 runs as Gloucestershire failed again in pursuit of a very stiff chase but again, the visitors fell far too easily; the horrendous lack of depth in their batting was exposed.
There is simply no power down the order. James Franklin and now Aaron Redmond at the top are the only batsmen capable of striking any ball off a cricket ground and that is simply too few players to win t20 matches.
Balls have to disappear for large totals to be chased. t20 is a batsman's game but Gloucestershire simply do not posses enough batting to be competitive in the format.
Chris Dent is the one player keeping many going at Bristol. He is the one reposte to accusations that Gloucestershire add nothing to the English game. A great knock of 63 from 44 balls again showed Dent's ability.
Gloucestershire lost again at the Rose Bowl and constant defeat is now becoming an extremely painful monotony.
Unfortunately once again, Gloucestershire were left searching for positives from a poor display, having been outplayed by simply a much better cricket club.
The gulfs between these two counties were bluntly exposed in the pro40 fixture last season and again, Gloucestershire seemed world's apart from the glitzy Rose Bowl evening.
Their last six wickets went down for just 13 runs as Gloucestershire failed again in pursuit of a very stiff chase but again, the visitors fell far too easily; the horrendous lack of depth in their batting was exposed.
There is simply no power down the order. James Franklin and now Aaron Redmond at the top are the only batsmen capable of striking any ball off a cricket ground and that is simply too few players to win t20 matches.
Balls have to disappear for large totals to be chased. t20 is a batsman's game but Gloucestershire simply do not posses enough batting to be competitive in the format.
Chris Dent is the one player keeping many going at Bristol. He is the one reposte to accusations that Gloucestershire add nothing to the English game. A great knock of 63 from 44 balls again showed Dent's ability.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Glos go down again/Redmond signs
t20: Essex beat Gloucestershire by 66 runs
Gloucestershire slid to another heavy t20 defeat and sit rooted to the bottom of the South group. However, they are certainly not out of the qualifying mix just yet.
It was a consecutive failure with the bat that saw Gloucestershire lose by such a large margin - they should have got far closer to an above-par target.
Essex achieved what Gloucestershire failed to do with the ball and chipped away with regular wickets. As a result, Essex built partnerships and set a good score, while Gloucestershire never looked like getting a good score.
The concerning thing was the cost of the wickets - only four double-figure scores on the card was another miserable effort and nothing to inspire anyone to return to Bristol.
Gloucestershire's bowling is also struggling in this competition. Jon Lewis has been sending down brilliant spells for nothing but is getting no support. Vikram Banerjee, in particular, is being attacked; his three overs against Essex cost 33.
But batting wins t20 matches - teams chase anything - and Gloucestershire need to find their form to get back into this competition.
AARON REDMOND has signed for Gloucestershire as a second overseas player after Ian Butler was ruled out of the rest of t20 tournament with a back injury.
Redmond, a leg-spinner turned top-order batsman, arrives on Thursday and will make his debut on Friday at Hampshire.
The New Zealander has scored 623 t20 runs at 27 and played in t20 internationals. Gloucestershire have no immediate plans to extend Redmond's stay.
Redmond holds a British passport and lives in Britain during the close-season down-under, so a permanent deal following the t20 will not be completely off the table.
Gloucestershire slid to another heavy t20 defeat and sit rooted to the bottom of the South group. However, they are certainly not out of the qualifying mix just yet.
It was a consecutive failure with the bat that saw Gloucestershire lose by such a large margin - they should have got far closer to an above-par target.
Essex achieved what Gloucestershire failed to do with the ball and chipped away with regular wickets. As a result, Essex built partnerships and set a good score, while Gloucestershire never looked like getting a good score.
The concerning thing was the cost of the wickets - only four double-figure scores on the card was another miserable effort and nothing to inspire anyone to return to Bristol.
Gloucestershire's bowling is also struggling in this competition. Jon Lewis has been sending down brilliant spells for nothing but is getting no support. Vikram Banerjee, in particular, is being attacked; his three overs against Essex cost 33.
But batting wins t20 matches - teams chase anything - and Gloucestershire need to find their form to get back into this competition.
AARON REDMOND has signed for Gloucestershire as a second overseas player after Ian Butler was ruled out of the rest of t20 tournament with a back injury.
Redmond, a leg-spinner turned top-order batsman, arrives on Thursday and will make his debut on Friday at Hampshire.
The New Zealander has scored 623 t20 runs at 27 and played in t20 internationals. Gloucestershire have no immediate plans to extend Redmond's stay.
Redmond holds a British passport and lives in Britain during the close-season down-under, so a permanent deal following the t20 will not be completely off the table.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Glos humiliated at Bristol
t20: Hampshire 69-3 beat Gloucestershire 68 by seven wickets
Gloucestershire suffered a complete all-round humiliation in their first t20 match at Bristol.
An utterly dreadful afternoon of cricket saw an exceptionally poor crowd witness the worst t20 performance ever by Gloucestershire. The "most entertaining" form of cricket provided the least entertaining match that many will have ever witnessed at Nevil Road.
Gloucestershire have a habit of playing poor cricket live on Sky - two pro40 hammerings were broadcast last season - but this match was surely the worst ever. Dreadful cricket and a dreadful crowd would have only worsened Gloucestershire's stock in the eyes of many cricket-observers. The terrible attendance for a t20 match was particularly noted by the Sky commentators.
It was pathetic. The home side were bowled out for just 68 - their lowest-ever t20 total and the second lowest in the history of the competition. Hampshire wasted no time chasing such a paltry total and everyone went home after just 25 overs of cricket thoroughly short-changed.
No Gloucestershire batsman could stay at the crease and had it not been for a modicum of responsibility by Jon Lewis - 19 from 23 balls - the Westcountry side would have easily posted the worst-ever t20 total: they were at least spared that hideous statistic.
But avoiding a terrible record was no consolation for anyone. Hampshire needed just 45 balls to knock off the runs consigning Gloucestershire to the quickest defeat ever in a non-rain affected t20 match.
IAN BUTLER's brief stint as Gloucestershire's second overseas player could be over due to a back injury. The New Zealander has sat out the last three t20 matches.
Gloucestershire suffered a complete all-round humiliation in their first t20 match at Bristol.
An utterly dreadful afternoon of cricket saw an exceptionally poor crowd witness the worst t20 performance ever by Gloucestershire. The "most entertaining" form of cricket provided the least entertaining match that many will have ever witnessed at Nevil Road.
Gloucestershire have a habit of playing poor cricket live on Sky - two pro40 hammerings were broadcast last season - but this match was surely the worst ever. Dreadful cricket and a dreadful crowd would have only worsened Gloucestershire's stock in the eyes of many cricket-observers. The terrible attendance for a t20 match was particularly noted by the Sky commentators.
It was pathetic. The home side were bowled out for just 68 - their lowest-ever t20 total and the second lowest in the history of the competition. Hampshire wasted no time chasing such a paltry total and everyone went home after just 25 overs of cricket thoroughly short-changed.
No Gloucestershire batsman could stay at the crease and had it not been for a modicum of responsibility by Jon Lewis - 19 from 23 balls - the Westcountry side would have easily posted the worst-ever t20 total: they were at least spared that hideous statistic.
But avoiding a terrible record was no consolation for anyone. Hampshire needed just 45 balls to knock off the runs consigning Gloucestershire to the quickest defeat ever in a non-rain affected t20 match.
IAN BUTLER's brief stint as Gloucestershire's second overseas player could be over due to a back injury. The New Zealander has sat out the last three t20 matches.
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