CB40: Gloucestershire 192-1 beat Netherlands 191 by nine wickets
Gloucestershire professionally overcame the Netherlands at Bristol to move onto 16 points in Clydesdale Bank Group B. If Gloucestershire beat Northamptonshire at Wantage Road next Saturday Gloucestershire should be in the semi-finals.
Alex Gidman shared 192 with James Franklin to sail the hosts past their target in the Bristol sunshine. Gidman will be disappointed it has taken the poorest bowling attack to finally score a hundred against but the second-wicket partnership he contributed to settled any nerves of chasing a small target.
Nerves that would have risen when Will Porterfield was caught behind from the first ball of the Gloucestershire reply. But Gidman has done an excellent job opening the innings in 40 over cricket; Franklin played his usual calm knock and the home side had no trouble.
There wasn't much trouble in the field either, although the Netherlands were handily placed at 132-2. But a run out - so often the cause of a sizeable partnership coming unstuck - saw the visitors lose eight-for-59. Encouragingly, David Payne picked up three wickets and there were two for Ed Young.
Gloucestershire have played their way into contention for a semi-final - likely to be away against Somerset. If Essex lose either of their two remaining matches they cannot overhaul the 18 points Gloucestershire would total if they beat Northants. If Yorkshire lose to Essex next Saturday, Gloucestershire's net run rate would have to somehow slip below that of Yorkshire's for the West Country club to be denied second place.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
10-over bash keeps Glos alive
CB40: Gloucestershire 122-3(10 overs) beat Netherlands 68-6(10) by 54 runs
Gloucestershire were always going to overpower the Netherlands; the hard part was getting on the field.
For a long while it looked as if a straightforward two points were going to be washed away but conditions relented and Gloucestershire were able to pick up an easy win to keep their hopes of qualification for the Clydesdale Bank 40 League semi-finals alive.
It was actually ideal for the players: minimum work for the result they needed. Just 10 overs a side - the minimum permitted - were able to be bowled and the visitors ensured there would be no upset with a solid batting display.
Inevitably inserted into bat - chasing was the only realistic way the Netherlands would be able to win the game - Will Porterfield and James Franklin provided the two scores of note that were required. They shared nine boundaries and took the score almost to 100: the point at which the visitors assumed control of the match.
Defending the score was routine, especially when Jon Lewis picked up three-for-three in his two overs. The top order removed the game was over, although Alex Gidman felt generous and gave seven players a bowl - he has captained the MCC before so knows about giving everyone a game.
Qualification is still very much on the cards for Gloucestershire. They require two more wins from their final matches - at home to the Netherlands and away to Northamptonshire - to take them to 18 points. A series of results then needs to go in their favour but plenty would back the scenario occurring.
If Somerset beat Surrey at Taunton, Yorkshire beat Essex at Headingley and one of Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire lose one of their combined five remaining matches then no other second-placed team will reach 18 points and Gloucestershire will progress.
The final criteria doesn't actually need to happen, providing Gloucestershire keep their net run rate - which should improve again with the Netherlands to come on Monday - above Warwickshire's.
Gloucestershire were always going to overpower the Netherlands; the hard part was getting on the field.
For a long while it looked as if a straightforward two points were going to be washed away but conditions relented and Gloucestershire were able to pick up an easy win to keep their hopes of qualification for the Clydesdale Bank 40 League semi-finals alive.
It was actually ideal for the players: minimum work for the result they needed. Just 10 overs a side - the minimum permitted - were able to be bowled and the visitors ensured there would be no upset with a solid batting display.
Inevitably inserted into bat - chasing was the only realistic way the Netherlands would be able to win the game - Will Porterfield and James Franklin provided the two scores of note that were required. They shared nine boundaries and took the score almost to 100: the point at which the visitors assumed control of the match.
Defending the score was routine, especially when Jon Lewis picked up three-for-three in his two overs. The top order removed the game was over, although Alex Gidman felt generous and gave seven players a bowl - he has captained the MCC before so knows about giving everyone a game.
Qualification is still very much on the cards for Gloucestershire. They require two more wins from their final matches - at home to the Netherlands and away to Northamptonshire - to take them to 18 points. A series of results then needs to go in their favour but plenty would back the scenario occurring.
If Somerset beat Surrey at Taunton, Yorkshire beat Essex at Headingley and one of Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire lose one of their combined five remaining matches then no other second-placed team will reach 18 points and Gloucestershire will progress.
The final criteria doesn't actually need to happen, providing Gloucestershire keep their net run rate - which should improve again with the Netherlands to come on Monday - above Warwickshire's.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Glos defeated in Crucial tie
CB40: Essex 188-4 beat Gloucestershire 184-8 by six wickets
Gloucestershire didn't bat well enough and lost a crucial Clydesdale Bank 40 League match that leaves them relying on other results for qualification from Group B.
Wickets fell incredibly cheaply after an excellent start - Alex Gidman and Will Porterfield again combined well as an opening pair. But no-one had the discipline to stay with James Franklin, whose 70 not out was the basis of a solid total but nothing was built around his measured knock.
Defending a small score, Gloucestershire didn't get the fortune they needed in the field - a host of edges went wide of fielders that on a better day would have produced half chances. But Essex had more than enough. Ravi Bopara was a joy to watch and it was a shame that couldn't take his innings further - he was given out caught behind; replays showed he had clearly missed the delivery.
The visitors had plenty in reserve and Gloucestershire needed above 200 to be really competitive. They should have got there. An excellent start was wasted - particularly by Hamish Marshall who played a poor shot and dragged on.
Franklin simply occupied the crease and made 70. He did nothing special so why anyone else down the order couldn't follow suit was a mystery: all the Essex batsmen did. Steve Snell threatened to, before he tried to attack the first ball of a new Ryan ten Doeschate over and chipped an easy catch to extra-cover.
The partnership between Snell and Franklin was very comfortable and needed to continue. Snell's demise saw another flurry of wickets with Richard Dawson, Ed Young and Jon Lewis falling quickly. Mercifully David Payne managed to get through a few overs to allow Franklin to stretch the total but Gloucestershire were short of runs.
Gloucestershire didn't bat well enough and lost a crucial Clydesdale Bank 40 League match that leaves them relying on other results for qualification from Group B.
Wickets fell incredibly cheaply after an excellent start - Alex Gidman and Will Porterfield again combined well as an opening pair. But no-one had the discipline to stay with James Franklin, whose 70 not out was the basis of a solid total but nothing was built around his measured knock.
Defending a small score, Gloucestershire didn't get the fortune they needed in the field - a host of edges went wide of fielders that on a better day would have produced half chances. But Essex had more than enough. Ravi Bopara was a joy to watch and it was a shame that couldn't take his innings further - he was given out caught behind; replays showed he had clearly missed the delivery.
The visitors had plenty in reserve and Gloucestershire needed above 200 to be really competitive. They should have got there. An excellent start was wasted - particularly by Hamish Marshall who played a poor shot and dragged on.
Franklin simply occupied the crease and made 70. He did nothing special so why anyone else down the order couldn't follow suit was a mystery: all the Essex batsmen did. Steve Snell threatened to, before he tried to attack the first ball of a new Ryan ten Doeschate over and chipped an easy catch to extra-cover.
The partnership between Snell and Franklin was very comfortable and needed to continue. Snell's demise saw another flurry of wickets with Richard Dawson, Ed Young and Jon Lewis falling quickly. Mercifully David Payne managed to get through a few overs to allow Franklin to stretch the total but Gloucestershire were short of runs.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Glos made to wait for Northants win
LVCC: Gloucestershire 302 & 76-3 beat Northamptonshire 124 & 252 by seven wickets (PTS: Glos 22, Northants 3)
Gloucestershire were frustrated for a while on day three at Wantage Road but the second new ball wrapped up the Northants second-innings and a small target was overcome.
The win pushes Alex Gidman's side back up to third in the table but they still require Glamorgan or Sussex - who still have to play each other - to drop points to get back into the promotion race.
A record partnership for Northants against Gloucestershire was shared between James Middlebrook and wicketkeeper David Murphy. The pair put on 141 very easily in the morning session where nothing was on offer for the bowlers, including nine overs for debutant Ed Young.
The lead was threatening to become testing for the visitors but the second new ball arrived and 26 balls added enough movement to cause three problems. Three deliveries swung into the pads and three leg before decisions closed the innings. About time too.
But Gloucestershire ended up under pressure chasing just 75. Will Porterfield tried to swing away the target but played one shot too many and was caught for 23. Jon Batty's helpless run also continued, this time his shot selection at fault as he was caught behind for just five. Gidman also lost his middle stump as Chris Dent's 28 not out took his side to victory.
Gloucestershire were frustrated for a while on day three at Wantage Road but the second new ball wrapped up the Northants second-innings and a small target was overcome.
The win pushes Alex Gidman's side back up to third in the table but they still require Glamorgan or Sussex - who still have to play each other - to drop points to get back into the promotion race.
A record partnership for Northants against Gloucestershire was shared between James Middlebrook and wicketkeeper David Murphy. The pair put on 141 very easily in the morning session where nothing was on offer for the bowlers, including nine overs for debutant Ed Young.
The lead was threatening to become testing for the visitors but the second new ball arrived and 26 balls added enough movement to cause three problems. Three deliveries swung into the pads and three leg before decisions closed the innings. About time too.
But Gloucestershire ended up under pressure chasing just 75. Will Porterfield tried to swing away the target but played one shot too many and was caught for 23. Jon Batty's helpless run also continued, this time his shot selection at fault as he was caught behind for just five. Gidman also lost his middle stump as Chris Dent's 28 not out took his side to victory.
Glos within sight of Victory
Day 2 Close: Northamptonshire 124 & 128-7 trail Gloucestershire 302 by 50 runs (PTS: Northants 3, Glos 6)
Gloucestershire's bowlers were again demonstrating why they are the most potent attack in the country as they took 15 wickets on day two at Northampton.
They ran through the Northants first-innings in just 37 overs and again had the option to enforce the follow-on. With such a light workload on board, Alex Gidman this time had no hesitation to insert the home side again. The decision has shortened this match considerably.
It will take some stubborn resistance from the lower-order to make Gloucestershire bat again. The top order has shown very little.
With three under-22s in their top five, the hosts possess a very inexperienced batting line up, one that couldn't cope chiefly with Gemaal Hussain, who's six wickets moved him top the country's wicket-takers.
Steve Kirby was also reapproaching his best. David Sales dragged him onto his stumps as the Lancastrian added another victim to his first-innings 3-32. But it was the way in which he made batsmen continually play and miss which was most impressive.
Gloucestershire have also caught extremely well in this match; Chris Dent again very sharp at second slip. It was Chris Taylor of all people, replacing Hamish Marshall in the gully, that blemished the performance with two straightforward spills.
Gloucestershire's bowlers were again demonstrating why they are the most potent attack in the country as they took 15 wickets on day two at Northampton.
They ran through the Northants first-innings in just 37 overs and again had the option to enforce the follow-on. With such a light workload on board, Alex Gidman this time had no hesitation to insert the home side again. The decision has shortened this match considerably.
It will take some stubborn resistance from the lower-order to make Gloucestershire bat again. The top order has shown very little.
With three under-22s in their top five, the hosts possess a very inexperienced batting line up, one that couldn't cope chiefly with Gemaal Hussain, who's six wickets moved him top the country's wicket-takers.
Steve Kirby was also reapproaching his best. David Sales dragged him onto his stumps as the Lancastrian added another victim to his first-innings 3-32. But it was the way in which he made batsmen continually play and miss which was most impressive.
Gloucestershire have also caught extremely well in this match; Chris Dent again very sharp at second slip. It was Chris Taylor of all people, replacing Hamish Marshall in the gully, that blemished the performance with two straightforward spills.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Glos collapse to relinquish strong position
DAY 1 Close: Northants 4-2 trail Gloucestershire 302 by 298 runs (PTS: Northants 3, Glos 3)
Gloucestershire lost 7-34 with the second new ball after tea on day one at Northampton to be bowled out far short of the commanding first-innings total they should have made.
242-1 was the score shortly before tea when Chris Dent, on 92, ran past a James Middlebrook delivery to bowled - his dismissal ended a record second wicket partnership and sparked a remarkable collapse.
Alex Gidman was incredibly fidgety at the wicket and his feet went nowhere as he was bowled for just one. The second new ball then claimed 7-34 as Gloucestershire's dominating afternoon descended into a modest total.
No one could stop the rot. After Porterfield and Dent only Chris Taylor (21 not out) and Jon Lewis (11) limped out of double figures.
There was more drama to come as Gemaal Hussain, who had Steven Peters well caught by Porterfield, and Jon Lewis, who produced an edge from nightwatchman Middleborough, made a double-breakthrough before the close.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Glos slip up at Headingley
CB40: Yorkshire 247-5 beat Glouestershire 224 by 23 runs
One wonders if Yorkshire now deeply regret batting first at Cheltenham. Because in the return fixture it was they who put the runs on the board and squeezed Gloucestershire out of the game.
The visitors should have won though. 160-3 was the perfect platform to accelerate from and win a crucial group match. But a collapse under pressure, 7-64, saw Gloucestershire fall comfortably short of the winning line.
The chase was in stark contrast to Sunday's back-from-the-brink effort. 41-3 then, this time the top order did a great job, with quick runs for Alex Gidman, Will Porterfield and Hamish Marshall. But the middle order couldn't close out the game.
The heroes of Cheltenham contributed just 13 runs between them - with a back-to-earth duck for Steve Snell. He will probably be soon out of the door but just in is Ed Young. Eight overs for 33 and 25 from 24 balls was a very encouraging contribution.
It was very much a day for pace off the ball as Jon Lewis and Steve Kirby went for eight-an-over from their combined 15 overs, while the spinners conceded half that rate. And it was the medium pacers of Richard Pyrah that undid the visitors' chase with 4-43.
The defeat leaves topping Group B out of Gloucestershire's hands. They now need to see off the Netherlands home and away, defeat Northamptonshire at Wantage Road and beat Essex at Bristol on August 23. The can afford no further slip ups.
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