LV County Championship Division II

Day Four. At Canterbury.

Gloucestershire had to settle for a draw after having much the better of the game as bad weather took a hand again on the final day at Canterbury.

Kent were set 363 to win off a minimum of 73 overs, but showed no interest in taking up the challenge and, with the visitors a bowler short due to David Payne's injury, the contest appeared an inevitable draw long before the premature close.

Gloucestershire began the day on 191-3 and added a further 66 runs in 21 overs for the loss of four wickets.

In the fifth over Alex Gidman lifted Mark Davies over long-on for six only to play around a straight delivery from Matt Coles five deliveries later, having contributed 70.

Ian Cockbain went lbw to a ball that skidded on and Hamish Marshall, who recorded his highest score in the County Championship since July 2010, was run out for 74 when Will Gidman called him through for a quick single to Brendan Nash at cover.

Shortly before the declaration, Will Gidman danced down the pitch and smacked James Tredwell straight to mid-on to make it 248-7. Nine runs later Alex Gidman closed the innings.

Kent made their intentions known from the outset of their second innings. Rob Key, who made an unbeaten 32 off 100 balls, and Scott Newman playing well within themselves.

Shortly after lunch wicketkeeper Richard Coughtrie took a fine catch away to his left off the bowling of Will Gidman to see the back of Newman for 17.

With Payne unable to take the field, owing to a side strain which is likely to sideline the left-arm seamer for a couple of weeks, Paul Muchall relieved Gidman at the Nackington Road End.

But it was not long before Muchall - who bowled five no-balls in the space of three overs, including three in his second - was withdrawn from the attack.

Ben Harmison hit the first boundary in 25 overs when he on-drove Ed Young. But three balls later the former Durham man was walking back to the dressing room having holed out to James Fuller at deep mid-wicket for 20.

Tea had to be taken early due to rain. At 4.30pm the players shook hands on a draw with the Kent score 94-2. Gloucestershire took eight points from the match to Kent's six.

To check on the score click below.

http://www.ecb.co.uk/stats/fixtures-results/teams.html?Lt=22