Gloucs manage to Kling on thanks to Liddle bit of magic
RICHARD Dawson may still be scratching his head as to exactly how his side snatched victory over Kent in Bristol on Wednesday, but the Gloucestershire head coach is convinced it can be a springboard to success.
With the losers set to be eliminated from the One-Day Cup, Kent appeared to be in control as they reached 200-2 in the 39th over in their hunt for 276.
But Chris Liddle’s brilliant spell, on his way to figures of 5-36, accounted for Daniel BellDrummond (90), Sam Northeast (44), Darren Stevens (4) and Alex Blake (8) – with the 33-year-old having sent Joe Denly back to the hutch earlier in the piece – as the Spitfires crashed to 264-9 and an 11-run loss.
“It wasn’t until late in the day that I felt we had a chance of winning,” said Dawson. “I’ll take the victory even though I’m not quite sure how it happened!
“We kept going and once we got a sniff we were good enough to capitalise on it. It keeps us in the competition we now want to put together a run – and that means beating Somerset on Friday.”
Michael Klinger’s majestic 134 had set Gloucestershire on their way, and although a late flurry from Matt Coles (4-57) restricted the hosts to a very gettable 275-8, Kent’s collapse means they are knocked out.
star man
CHRIS LIDDLE – Gloucestershire: Klinger’s innings was class but Liddle’s five wickets ensured the victory