Reviews

Gloucestershire v Kent CCC 18?21 May - Bristol County Ground

Posted on: 2014-05-26

Gloucester 252 and 443 for 5 - Kent 114 and 291 - Gloucestershire won by 290 runs

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1 for 1; 2 for 2; 3 for 2; 4 for 2; This was how Kent ‘s first 4 wickets read on the scoreboard at the County Ground. This was in reply to Glos 252 all out in 78. 4 overs. A modest total despite winning the toss and electing to bat first, but still earning 2 batting bonus points. On a bright sunny day Glos lost their first 4 wickets for 64, being 23 for 3 earlier. Marshall and Roderick put on 75 together, then Will Gidman had a brainstorm and went for a run that wasn’t. Tom Smith did well to get the other point with some help from Fuller and Matt Taylor.

That left Glos 15 over’s at the end of the first day to inflict some damage on Kent. James Fuller up to now has been first change bowler. But with injuries and perhaps his impressive 4 overs against Somerset in the T20, Michael Klinger had him open the bowling with Will Gidman. Glos took a wicket in each of the first 4 over’s. When Darren Stevens came in at 6 to join Ben Harmison he had hardly got his pads on when walking to the wicket and, did a Jonathon Trott style delay at the wicket. Matt Taylor took over from Gidman his figures then were 4 over’s 3 maidens 1 run for 2 wickets. Klinger checked with Fuller and bowled through his 7 over’s taking 3 wickets for 23 runs.  When Kent’s 6th wicket went down it was 27 for 6.  Gloucestershire supporters could not believe it. People were taking photos of the scoreboard in case friends and family didn’t believe them. The members who sit in front of the pavilion and on the Hammond roof was aroused into a roar when Fuller ran in to bowl; WOW.

Incidentally Robert Key’s dismissal is always met with glee by Glos supporters ever since he thought he had saved a 4 on the boundary years ago. He in fact touched the rope and, the crowd more than let him know it. Consequently Glos lost by 2 runs when a tie would have been enough to stop them being relegated from the first division of the 40 leagues at the time. Glos supporters have never forgiven him and he is now their pantomime villain.

Early on day 2 Kent were reduced to 33 for 7. But a stand of 68 between wicketkeeper Billings and Ball brought Kent up to 114.

Talking of pantomime, Kent opening bowlers Doug Bollinger and Mitch Claydon were like the two ugly sisters. They took 1 wicket between them from 16 over’s each in Glos 2 nd innings. 85 each from Alex Gidman and Gareth Roderick 118 from Hamish Marshall and a 92 unbeaten partnership from Howell and Will Gidman saw a welcome return to form of the Glos middle order. Spinner Riley has been taking wickets regularly this season but had no return from 28 overs at a loss of 112 runs. Bristol so far this season has not been a happy hunting ground for spin.

Set 582 to win, Kent had one and a half days to win or survive. Kent lost 5 wickets by the end of day 3. Despite 125 from Ben Harmison his first century this year, Glos took 36. 4 over’s to take the last 5 wickets on day 4 to win by 290 runs.

Fuller, Gidman and Taylor bowled well as a unit taking 17 wickets between them. Fuller is gaining confidence and aggression with every match. The 33 for 6 Sunday evening set the tone for the match which those who were there will never forget.

As a footnote, many Glos supporters who walk to the ground will be aware many of the surrounding roads are named after English counties. I thought this was because of county cricket as 125 years ago the ground was surrounded by fields. Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Derby and Kent I get but Rutland road may have no cricket connection. However in Kent road just before the main entrance an old cat would always be soaking up the sun, giving a mocking smile to all passing Glos fans.

Sadly on the way to the T 20 Middlesex match the children of the house had painted two pictures of the cat and fixed them to the wall saying it had died on the 21 st May, the day Kent lost.

Paul Simmons reporting for 365Bristol

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