Match Reports

Gloucestershire v Derbyshire

Day 4

Gloucestershire were unable to force a victory on a docile Brightside Ground pitch as the first home Championship match of the season ended in a draw against Derbyshire.

After the fireworks of the third day from Gloucestershire's batsmen, Derbyshire overcame the early loss of Ben Slater to comfortably erase their 119 run deficit on first innings shortly after lunch.

Opener Chesney Hughes went on to complete the hundred which he had missed by a boundary in the first innings, and with Hamish Rutherford making 78, the draw was on the cards long before the captains shook hands when Derbyshire declared their second innings at 260-2, 141 runs ahead.

Listen to the post match thoughts of head coach Richard Dawson here :

The tempo of the Gloucestershire first innings on the third evening forced the match forward but while it gave them valuable time to try and bowl Derbyshire out in their second innings, the lead of 119 was small enough to give the visitors confidence to save the match.

Realistically Gloucestershire needed a strong start with a clutch of early wickets, and the door was opened in only the fourth over when Liam Norwell deflected a drive by Chesney Hughes onto the stumps at the non striker's end with Ben Slater out of his ground.

Derbyshire skipper Hamish Rutherford then joined Hughes, and for a brief spell their running between the wickets suggested another run out could be on the cards with some hesitant responses to calls.

Given only 20 wickets had gone down for more than 1000 runs over the first three days, it looked a tall order for Gloucestershire to bowl out the visitors cheaply. Skipper Gareth Roderick maintained attacking fields until a flurry of five boundaries in two overs after Liam Norwell switched to the Ashley Down Road end and Josh Shaw had been introduced into the attack, four of them to Hughes.

Barely an hour of the day had elapsed before Jack Taylor's off spin was in operation but both left handers were watchful, concious that the enthusiastic but inexperienced Shaw was finding nothing in the pitch from the other end.

Hughes twice cut the Yorkshire loanee for four to bring up his half century from 75 deliveries with 10 boundaries, and with skipper Rutherford quietly accumulating runs in tandem, Derbyshire were only 14 runs behind at lunch with nine wickets in hand.

The afternoon followed a predictable pattern, Jack Taylor continuing to wheel in from the Pavilion end and Gloucestershire skipper Gareth Roderick sensibly using his other bowlers, including the occasional slow left arm spin of Chris Dent, in short spells to share the work load.

Rutherford squirted away his sixth boundary to third man to bring up his half century from 107 balls, and once Derbyshire were in front in the match, it became a sedate affair on a pitch which had behaved almost perfectly from the first morning.

To that end Rutherford will have been frustrated to have clipped Taylor to short cover and seen Chris Dent take a smart catch when he had made 78. The Derbyshire skipper had added 174 with Hughes who, having made 96 in the first innings was intent on not falling short a second time, and a cut off Taylor brought up his century from 194 deliveries.

The Leeward Islands left hander struck 16 fours, and then weighed in with a six in the last over before tea to help Derbyshire's lead to reach exactly 100 with eight wickets in hand at the start of the final session, where the only moment of note - and concern - was a blow to the left hand of Gareth Roderick which necessitated Cameron Bancroft taking the gloves for the last eight overs.

In the end, the visitors declared as soon as they were permitted to at 260-2, with Hughes 137 not out and Madsen 27 not out. Gloucestershire take 12 points from the draw and Derbyshire 8.

Gloucestershire's next match starts on Sunday April 24th, when they welcome Worcestershire to the Brightside Ground for a Championship game for the first time since 2006.

Day 3

Gloucestershire's overnight pair of Chris Dent and Liam Norwell gave this Championship game a real change of gear on the third day at the Brightside Ground.

Norwell completed his maiden hundred, and became the first night watchman in Gloucestershire's history to pass three figures, while Dent constructed a composed century, going on to make the top score of 180.

Hamish Marshall and Kieran Noema-Barnett then further accelerated the scoring rate as Gloucestershire accumulated 453 runs in the day before Howell was last out just before the close. Having post a first innings score of 563, Gloucestershire's overnight lead is 119, just enough to potentially trouble Derbyshire on the last day.

Listen to the thoughts of centurions Liam Norwell and Chris Dent here :

Gloucestershire began the morning with a deficit of 334 on first innings, and still needing 135 runs to avoid the follow-on. Night watchman Liam Norwell had done the essential job of surviving through to the close on Monday evening, but his achievement on the third day was far beyond what anyone could have expected.

Derbyshire had used five bowlers before the first hour was up - an indication of Gloucestershire's positive intent - with the more orthodox and experienced Chris Dent prepared to play a supporting role to the Dorset born bowler.

Norwell edged a hook over the slips off Andy Carter early on, but a couple of firm drives in the same over - one through extra cover and one past mid off - showed there were no demons in the pitch. As you might expect with someone with a career average of 12.56, there were a handful of lusty blows alongside some well timed strokes as Norwell increasingly took the aerial route, due in no small measure to the dominance of the bottom hand in his scoring shots.

He gave one chance when on 62, but it was spilled by Hughes at short extra cover, and the cheers from the crowd grew louder as Norwell's score advanced and the ball dropped safely in the outfield.

Chris Dent's last Championship innings at the Brightside Ground was his own career best 268 against Glamorgan last September, and starting the day 61 not out he followed it by completing his ninth first class hundred from 154 balls with 14 fours and one six, some of his driving through the covers showing strong early season confidence.

The freedom with which the pair scored against the Derbyshire attack put in perspective how accurately the Gloucestershire bowlers had performed over the first five sessions of the match. It must also be said that some of the Derbyshire fielders appeared to have difficulty picking up the ball in overcast light - not a problem Dent and Norwell seemed to share whoever was bowling at them.

Norwell went to lunch on 88 not out, having passed his previous best score of 78 made against Worcestershire at Cheltenham in 2014. He was nearly bowled after missing a full toss from the occasional spin of Chesney Hughes on 94, but Norwell regained his composure and punched Ben Cotton through the covers before raising both hands in celebration at reaching his hundred from only 120 balls. Finally, he got in a tangle against Hughes and was trapped lbw for 102, but his stand with Dent had added 168 in 41 overs and had gloriously entertained a larger than average Championship crowd.

By comparison with what had gone before, the afternoon session became a more even affair with Gloucestershire losing both Ian Cockbain and Gareth Roderick before tea. Cockbain had lofted Durston for a straight six as Derbyshire fiddled through the final few overs until the second new ball was due, only for Fletcher to draw an edge immediately and wicket keeper Poynton took the catch. Cockbain made 19, and skipper Roderick only five before Carter bowled his best ball of the day to remove his off stump.

Dent continued to look assured however, and whilst his progress from 100-150 was a little slower than his batting before lunch, there were still some elegant strokes particularly through the now widespread field on the off side. 114 runs were added up to tea, when Gloucestershire had cut the deficit to 76 runs.

A fifth batting point was secured soon after the resumption with Dent and Marshall still together, the latter batting freely in a situation made for him and with no sign of the Derbyshire seamers, the Gloucestershire middle order flexed its muscles and went after the spinners.

Dent, missed on 155 at slip, finally succumbed to Hughes for 180 but Marshall, Noema-Barnett and Howell picked up the baton. Marshall, who had added 99 with Dent in 18 overs, went on to make 72 : Noema-Barnett put together his own half century at a run a ball and Howell, batting at number nine, clubbed four sixes before being last out for 41. The final session produced 195 runs, predominantly against the spin of Durston and Hughes who were mercilessly dealt with. Only Derbyshire captain Hamish Rutherford will know why his seamers were used so sparingly when runs were being leaked at a rate of knots.

Gloucestershire go into the final day with a lead of 119. The pitch remains a good one to bat on, although there is some slow turn. The first hour looks set to dictate if Gloucestershire can set up a win which looked unlikely on the second evening.

Day 2

Derbyshire obdurately batted themselves into what looks a position safe from defeat after two days of this Championship game at the Brightside Ground.

Gloucestershire briefly took the initiative on the second morning with three wickets in the first hour, only for Wayne Madsen to find an equally resilient partner in wicket keeper Tom Poynton, the pair putting together a stand of 128 for the 7th wicket in 40 overs, Madsen completing his hundred and Poynton scoring his first fifty since 2013.

In the end Derbyshire weren't dismissed the stroke of tea, Madsen being last out for 150 when the visitors had 444 on the board. Liam Norwell and Jack Taylor both took four wickets, Taylor's return of 4-61 being his best in first class cricket.

It left Gloucestershire to start their first innings after five sessions in the field, and although they lost Cameron Bancroft shortly before stumps, a score of 110-1 was a good response on a placid Bristol wicket.

Listen to Jack Taylor at the close of day two here :

Derbyshire began the day on 242-3 with Wayne Madsen and Neil Broom together, but Gloucestershire's desire for quick wickets was met by both Liam Norwell and David Payne, both of whom enjoyed success in their opening spells.

Norwell's third ball of the day drew an edge from Broom which was pouched by Noema-Barnett at slip, the New Zealander adding only two to his overnight 30 not out.

Payne soon yorked Durston for 12 and when Thakor (7) also edged Payne into the slips - Dent taking the catch this time - Gloucestershire had taken three wickets for the addition of only 24 runs.

Payne and Norwell shared 14 overs before Gloucestershire skipper Gareth Roderick made a change, with Payne twice seeing Madsen nearly play the ball into his stumps. The visitors' four day captain from 2015 was to make the most of his stay at the crease.

Both teams had accrued two points when the allocated overs were up, and it was ten overs beyond that point that Derbyshire brought up their 300, with wicket keeper Poynton showing the same defiant approach as Madsen, who scored only nine in the first hour's play.

Kieran Noema-Barnett and Josh Shaw both bowled tidily but along with Jack Taylor they were unable to replicate the same threat as the Derbyshire seventh wicket pair added 53 together to take the visitors to 319-6 at lunch.

At that point Madsen was 87 not out, and a straight drive off Payne took him to within sight of a hundred which was long on graft, and which he completed as his innings' clock ticked past six hours. He faced 276 balls and struck 14 fours, the bulk of them either straight or off the back foot.

With an older ball and a pitch which appeared increasingly easy to bat on, Madsen and Poynton started to punch or cut anything off a good length, Shaw conceding three boundaries in one over. A pull to mid wicket by Madsen brought up the century stand - made in 36 overs - and he was also reverse sweeping Jack Taylor with some confidence.

Poynton had not made a Championship half century for nearly three years but he was to do so here (127 balls, 7x4) before a record seventh wicket stand for Derbyshire against Gloucestershire was broken by the persevering Norwell, who had Poynton caught by Noema-Barnett at first slip.

Left to bat with tail, Madsen received just enough support from Fletcher (11), Cotton (11) and Carter to reach his own 150, the last fifty runs coming at a more fluid rate and containing a further seven boundaries. Jack Taylor finally got his man with a routine stumping for skipper Roderick, and having accounted for Fletcher and Cotton as well, the all rounder had returned career best Championship figures of 4-61.

Despite the nature of the pitch, Derbyshire's total of 444 was still a formidable one for Cameron Bancroft and Chris Dent to face as they set out to lead Gloucestershire's response against Nottinghamshire loanee Luke Fletcher and his former Trent Bridge team mate Andy Carter.

With 34 overs in the final session, the Gloucestershire pair could not exclusively defend, and although Dent was troubled initially by Fletcher's height and bounce with the new ball, Bancroft soon got the scoreboard ticking with some straight drives which were easy on the eye.

Dent took 20 balls to get off the mark with a single off Carter, but joined the Australian right hander in accelerating the scoring, especially square of the wicket with both men cutting hard against Carter and Ben Cotton in particular.

The fifty partnership came up in the 18th over, and although Thakor was also introduced Derbyshire showed little threat until umpires Alex Wharf and Nick Cook decided the light was too poor to continue with Gloucestershire 89-0.

A further mini session was enough for Dent to complete his half century from 89 balls with eight fours, and for Cameron Bancroft to bring up a century first wicket partnership with a another straight drive off Thakor before the same bowler spoiled a good final session for Gloucestershire by knocking back the Western Australian's off stump for 41.

Liam Norwell saw out the day as night watchman as Gloucestershire closed on 110-1, with Chris Dent 61 not out. The deficit is 334, enough for Gloucestershire to think about nothing else than batting throughout Tuesday's play to wipe it out.

Day 1

A patient innings of 96 from Chesney Hughes was the foundation for an unspectacular day’s batting by Derbyshire in the opening Championship fixture of 2016 at the Brightside Ground.

Hughes had grafted away for four and three quarter hours when he tried to pull Jack Taylor to mid wicket and played on of a bottom edge. His wicket – only the third of the day – was a bonus for Gloucestershire shortly before the second new ball became available.

There was to be no further breakthrough, however, as an attritional half century from Wayne Madsen, supported by Neil Broom, took Derbyshire to 242-3 at stumps after captain Hamish Rutherford called correctly at the toss having declined the opportunity to bowl under the new 2016 regulations.

Listen to skipper Gareth Roderick’s thoughts on the day here:

Gloucestershire made one change to the team beaten at Essex last week, bringing back David Payne after a finger injury in place of Tom Hampton and hoping the left arm seamer would have some success against the three left handers at the top of the Derbyshire batting line up.

Payne and Liam Norwell shared the new ball, and it was twelve overs before Slater struck Norwell through the covers for the first boundary off the bat. Hughes had made only three when Gloucestershire skipper Roderick made a double change and brought on Josh Shaw and Kieran Noema-Barnett, and Shaw had an lbw apppeal against Hughes turned down almost immediately as he started to move the ball through the air.

Further fortune favoured Hughes as he saw a leading edge drop safe at extra cover off Noema-Barnett, and Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson could have few complaints about the bowlers keeping Derbyshire on a tight rein, with only five boundaries and 43 runs in total coming in the first 20 overs.

The remainder of the morning session proved to be the most lucrative of the day for Derbyshire as Slater and in particular Hughes opened up, the latter passing his partner on the scoreboard with two fours in a over off both Payne and Norwell in their second spells.

The introduction of Jack Taylor before lunch failed to stem the flow, the previously becalmed Hughes collecting two further boundaries to take Derbyshire to 96-0 without loss after the morning session.

Gloucestershire couldn’t afford to let the visitors re-start with the same imputus and although Hughes completed his half century off 87 balls with nine fours, Liam Norwell’s double breakthrough rebalanced the innings within six overs.

First Slater (42) pulled a short ball straight to Jack Taylor at mid wicket, and then Derbyshire captain Hamish Rutherford was caught behind by opposite number Gareth Roderick for a single.

The remainder of the afternoon saw Wayne Madsen keep Hughes company although the scoring rate returned to that of the first hour with Madsen adopting an ultra cautious approach. His timing was far from perfect, and with consumate patience he made only nine from 91 balls. Hughes also reverted to his morning persona, and with some cloud cover overhead Norwell, Shaw and Noema-Barnett all caused some anxious moments with movement through the air.

Gloucestershire skipper Gareth Roderick rotated six bowlers in a session that produced only 45 runs, with Hughes going to tea having batted throughout all 64 overs for his unbeaten 79.

With blue skies again overhead, Derbyshire advanced from 141-2 and took advantage of a couple of loose overs from Josh Shaw to collect a handful of boundaries, including Madsen’s first, a thick edge along the floor through gully.

Jack Taylor, who bowled briefly before tea, continued to contain although Hughes moved into the nineties with a leg glance off Noema-Barnett. A century of greater use to the team than grace in it’s construction looked inevitable until the Leewards Islands left hander bottom edged a pull to mid wicket off Taylor onto his middle stump for 96. His stand with Madsen had been worth 71 in 38 overs.

New Zealand one day international Neil Broom then joined Madsen and Gloucestershire sought to break the stand quickly with Payne and Norwell recalled as soon as the new ball was available.

Initially there was no joy for either as Broom played two text book straight drives off Payne and Madsen showed the two hours playing himself in had been a worthwhile exercise as he accelerated his own score, particularly off the back foot.

His half century – a reward for concentration and determination across more than three hours and 167 balls – came with a clip through mid wicket off Noema Barnett as the burly Kiwi and Josh Shaw strove for further reward before stumps.

It never came, and Derbyshire closed on 242-3, having added 56 runs in the final sixteen overs of the day against the second new ball to put them in a strong but not necessarily dominant position after a slow scoring day. Much will depend on what happens on the second morning.