Gloucestershire were left with heads in hands on the third day of their County Championship Second Division match against Northamptonshire at Bristol. Rain cut short their attempts to cash in on the bonus points. The weather became a crucial third character, cutting play short before the squad could continue their movement.
Continuing the first day at 65 for 3, Gloucestershire had a target of over-hauling Northamptonshire’s first-innings score of 206. The rearguard achieved significant success, taking the team to 158 for 5 in the 25 overs which were possible before rain halted play. This restricted action left them feeling hard done, as the conditions stopped their ideas in the final third from being turned into goals.
Ollie Price and James Bracey the wickets down during the day’s play. Bracey, who had made 36, was caught by wicketkeeper Lewis McManus off the bowling of Whitehouse. More importantly, Price was the engine room in holding up an innings-denting 192-run final wicket partnership. The fourth wicket partnership between Bracey and Price added 50 runs off 94 balls, showcasing their ability to build a solid foundation amidst challenging conditions.
Whitehouse would turn out to be the hero for Northamptonshire, as he took 2 wickets for only 39 runs. His resilience was epitomized in a fierce contest highlighted by constant and numerous duels from both players, as each team battled for an upper hand. As the day’s play drew to a close, Graeme van Buuren remained defiant with the bat to score 28 not out. Jack Taylor provided solid support, scoring an unbeaten 24 to see them home. Together they formed an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 51 runs, tasting sustained periods of hope for their county as they go into the later matches.
In terms of contributing with the bat in bowling, Van Buuren made the biggest impact. He took 3 wickets for just 23 runs in Northamptonshire’s first innings. His efforts were instrumental in limiting the opposition’s score, which was led by professionals such as Ben Zaib and McManus, who scored 76 and 44 runs, respectively.
Gloucestershire are 48 runs behind Northamptonshire. They have just 3 points on the board, whereas Northamptonshire has 2 points. The game in the hotly contested Rothesay County Championship Division Two ⚽️. Each side will be hungry to take home all three points and move up the table, making for a competitive affair.
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