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Bracey stifles visitors with enthralling fourth day to come

16 April 2022

James Bracey issued a timely reminder to the England selectors as Gloucestershire held-up Yorkshire's victory charge on day three of the LV=Insurance County Championship match at Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.

Staring down the barrel of an inside-the-distance defeat when Ryan Higgins was fifth man out with 11 more runs still required to make the white rose county bat again, Gloucestershire were indebted to 24-year-old left-hander Bracey, who registered his second hundred in as many matches this season to permit his team a stay of execution.

The Bristolian scored an assured 112 not out in a defiant innings spanning nearly five hours and dominated stands of 54 and 76 with Ryan Higgins and Tom Lace for the fifth and sixth wickets respectively as Gloucestershire reached the close on 253-6, a lead of 104.

Having posted 376 in their first innings, Yorkshire made sufficient in-roads with the ball on an increasingly benign surface to render themselves favourites to win their first outing of the campaign, but Gloucestershire have served notice that they are no pushovers and the visitors will know they still have work to do if they are to finish the job on the final day. 

Selected for two Tests against New Zealand last summer, Bracey under-achieved in both and has not featured for the three Lions at senior level since. Eager to atone and put himself back in contention, the Gloucestershire Academy is certainly doing his utmost to at least warrant a mention in the selectors' deliberations.

Having ended last year with a century for England Lions in Australia, he opened his domestic account for 2022 with another hundred at Northampton last week as Gloucestershire fought back from a poor start to salvage a draw. His latest march to three figures may not be enough to save his side from defeat here, but his prolonged resilience against a highly-motivated Yorkshire attack is noteworthy nonetheless.

In a mirror image of day one, when new overseas signing Marcus Harris made a hundred on debut and scored two thirds of his team's runs, Bracey held things together as Gloucestershire sought to wipe out a first-innings deficit of 149.

When Harris was tucked up by Steve Patterson and held by Harry Brook at first slip with the score on 37-2, Gloucestershire were heavily dependent upon Bracey. Ben Charlesworth had already been bowled through the gait by a fine delivery from England newbee Matty Fisher, while Graeme van Buuren and Miles Hammond were unable to hang around long enough to build any kind of meaningful stand.

Ryan Higgins played fluently enough in forging a partnership of 54 for the fifth wicket with Bracey, until he was caught at the wicket via an under-edge in the act of cutting Dom Bess, at which point Gloucestershire still trailed.

Struck a forceful blow on the helmet when attempting to pull a short-pitched delivery from the lively Haries Rauf, Bracey recovered following a break of several minutes, during which time he was checked out by medical staff, and then found the support he needed in the form of Lace. These two frustrated Yorkshire no end in an adhesive alliance of 76 for the sixth wicket.

Bracey went to three figures via 172 balls, with 10 fours, removing his helmet and punching the air in jubilation as he reached the milestone shortly after the tea interval. He enjoyed one slice of luck, being dropped on 101 by Adam Lyth at slip off the bowling of Bess. 

Lace had played the role of second fiddle perfectly when he was bowled by Jordan Thompson for 28, by which time the hosts were 62 runs to the good and out of immediate danger. Zafar Gofar, who impressed with the ball on day two, showed that he is more than capable with the bat, keeping Bracey company until the close. The partnership is already worth 42 and he will resume in the morning on 21 not out.

Leading by 107 overnight, Yorkshire further strengthened their position during the morning session. Gloucestershire required 40 minutes to eradicate stubborn lower-order resistance after the visitors resumed their first innings on 338-8, Ajeet Dale eventually mopping up the tail to finish with 4-72. But Patterson an Thompson had already frustrated the hosts in a stand of 26 for the ninth wicket, the former accruing four boundaries in a useful knock of 20. Having served up defiance aplenty in an innings spanning 75 balls, Thompson was visibly disappointed to be left high and dry eight runs short of a half century.

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