Alex Ton Sets Up Exciting Finale
30/08/2010
Alex Gidman hit his first century of the season to lead Gloucestershire to a nine-wicket Clydesdale Bank 40 win over the Netherlands at Bristol.
The victory took the Gladiators to 16 points from 11 games in the competition and if they win their remaining match at Northants only Group B rivals Essex can prevent them reaching the semi-finals as the best second placed team.
James Franklin (77 not out) shared an unbroken second-wicket of 192 with Gidman to take Gloucestershire to their target after they had bowled out the Netherlands for 191 and then lost Will Porterfield to the first ball of the reply.
Alex told this website: "I've probably had my most consistent one-day season ever, but it's still good to get that first century under my belt.
"When Will was out first ball I did wonder if it was going to be one of those shock results. But James is a very calm character and he was just the right guy to enter that sort of situation."
Alex survived one moment of anxiety early in his innings when Netherlands captain Peter Borren claimed a catch at short mid-wicket only for the umpires to rule the ball had reached him on the half-volley.
"It clearly bounced," said Alex. "But I'm not accusing their skipper of trying to cheat me out because in that situation it can feel like you have taken a clean catch.
"We have now done our bit to put pressure on Yorkshire and Essex in our group and hopefully one of them will slip up. We have to win at Northants and if we do that I think we will be unlucky not to go through."
Gloucestershire start a hugely important LV=County Championship match against Derbyshire at the County Ground tomorrow, knowing that a victory will put them right back in the promotion shake-up.
Glamorgan's draw with leaders Sussex at Hove has left the second placed Welsh county 26 points ahead of Gidman's man, having played a game more.
"If we can beat Dervyshire it will make things very interesting going into the last couple of games," said Alex. "But they could be dangerous opponents as they are bottom of the table and have nothing to lose."
Goucestershire rested Jon Lewis for the Netherlands game, but he joins Gemaal Hussain and Anthony Ireland in the squad to face Derbyshire.
Gloucestershire (from) J.Batty, W.Porterfield, H.Marshall, A.Gidman (capt), C.Taylor, C.Dent, J.Franklin, S.Snell, J.Lewis, G.Hussain, A.Ireland, S.Kirby, E.Young, J.Taylor.
For a report of the Netherlands game click here.
