Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Bracey sets out his England credentials
JAMES Bracey gave the England selectors a nudge in front of the Sky Sports cameras as Gloucestershire’s grip on their clash with hosts Middlesex tightened.
Bracey, a reserve player on England’s tours of Sri Lanka and India this last winter, passed 50 for the fifth time this season in making 75 to stake a claim for a place in next month’s first Test against New Zealand.
Ian Cockbain made 51, with a stand of 91 for the fifth wicket with Bracey, while ex-Middlesex all-rounder Ryan Higgins hit 49 as the visitors totalled 273 for a lead of 63.
Middlesex’s fragile batting then saw them collapse to 26 for three by the close, 37 behind.
Gloucestershire began the day 19 for one and survived a testing first session for the loss of just nightwatchman Matt Taylor, caught behind off the bowling of Andersson.
Harris broke through soon after the lunch interval, having Kragg Brathwaite caught in the gully by Sam Robson for 33.
Tim Murtagh trapped Tom Lace lbw and Gloucestershire would have been 109 for five had Bracey, then on 36, been snapped up at gully, but the chance went to ground. The wicketkeeper cashed, moving to 50 from 115 balls.
Cockbain was more fluent, but Harris bowled him with a beautiful in-swinger.
Bracey threw his wicket away soon after tea, hooking Andersson to Harris at fine leg.
Middlesex were in trouble second time around, Higgins trapping Robson lbw for eight.
Max Holden was caught and bowled by David Payne and skipper Peter Handscomb was caught behind off Taylor.
■ Craig Overton put Somerset in full control at Hampshire as the visitors dominated day two of their County Championship clash at the Ageas Bowl, writes Ian McCullough.
Overton – the leading wickettaker in the competition so far – showcased his batting by topscoring with 74, then starred with the ball as his side opened up a 165-run lead as Hampshire closed on 92 for three.
The England paceman hit ten fours on his way to his 13th firstclass 50, before he removed opener Ian Holland, Tom Alsop and nightwatchman Kyle Abbott during a hostile spell of bowling late in the final session.
Alsop and Joe Weatherley had dug in for a 56-run stand before the left-hander fell for 32 five overs from the close when he lobbed a catch to Josh Davey.
Overton struck again in the penultimate over when he trapped Abbot lbw for a duck for his 30th wicket of the year.
Weatherley was unbeaten on 31 alongside new batsman Sam Northeast.
Somerset started the day on 142 for five and added another 47 to their total before skipper Tom Abell’s stubborn innings was ended on 62 by Abbott.
Nightwatchman Jack Leach, dropped when on three in the final over of the first day, made the hosts pay for that mistake with an entertaining 34, but the England spinner perished after trying to lift Keith Barker over the slips cordon only to find the hands of Liam Dawson.
Somerset’s deep batting lineup proved its worth as 143 runs were put on for the last three wickets, led by Overton. He was ably supported by Steve Davies and Lewis Gregory, who each scored 33 as Somerset built up a handsome 257-run lead after recovering from 36 for three to be 336 all out.
Left-arm veteran Barker was the pick of the home bowlers finishing with four for 67 alongside South African quick Abbott, who took three wickets.