Alex Battles To Delay Defeat At Leicester
09/09/2010
Alex Gidman batted more than two hours for an unbeaten 23 as his team plunged towards defeat by Leicestershire at Grace Road.
The skipper demonstrated an application too many of his team-mates had failed to show in a one-sided contest, but still looks sure to finish on the losing side.
After Leicestershire had extended their second innings to 351-4 before declaring with a winning lead of 487, Gloucestershire suffered yet another batting collapse.
At one stage they were 5-3 as Jonathan Batty, Will Porterfield and Chris Dent were dismissed for a combined contribution of just two runs.
Hamish Marshall again got a start and had moved to 45 off 70 balls when he was caught behind. Chris Taylor also fell before the close of the third day which was reached with Gloucestershire 78-5.
By then Gidman had faced 107 balls in trying to salvage some pride for the team. But, with the deficit still 410, bad weather on the final day appears their only hope of escaping with a draw.
Opener Greg Smith hit a career-best 158 not out in the Leicestershire second innings, while Jacques du Toit made 70.
For a report of the third day against Leicestershire click here.
View video highlights of this LV= match by clicking here.
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