Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Dent hits ton as Glo’sters edge high-scoring clash
GLOUCESTERSHIRE held their nerve in the final over against Durham to claim a six-run win in their Royal London Cup clash.
Tom Price was on the money with the ball in the closing overs to claim figures of four for 70 to deny the hosts, who made a valiant effort in their chase of 368 courtesy of a 38-ball innings of 77 from Paul Coughlin. There was almost late drama from Price in the final over, but the seamer held his composure to prevent an incredible comeback from the North East outfit.
Chris Dent’s fifth List A century had allowed Gloucestershire to post a daunting score of 367 from their 50 overs, the highest in List A history at the Riverside. Dent received vital support from Marcus Harris (94) in a partnership of 172, with the Aussie falling narrowly short of his ton.
In the end, their contributions were vital in securing their third win in five matches to take their side top of Group A.
After being inserted by Durham, the visitors made a solid start to the innings, but Scott Borthwick shelled a skier from Dent on 35, which would prove to be very costly.
Coughlin ensured that Ben Wells could not kick on from his start, bowling the right-hander for 39, but Dent and Harris would provide the foundation for a dominant total with a stand of 172 for the second wicket.
Late on, Gloucestershire’s quest for quick runs sparked a collapse from 282 for two to 325 for seven as
Dent departed for 117, while James Bracey and Jack Taylor fell for 31 and 24 respectively. Ollie Price provided late power with a 19-ball knock of 31.
Durham made a measured start in their reply as openers Graham Clark and Jonathan Bushnell worked their way to a fifty partnership. However, both openers fell to Tom Price after making starts, elevating the run rate and increasing the pressure on the rest of the Durham ranks.
It looked like being the visitors’ day, but Coughlin and Tomas Mackintosh provided late drama, sparking the run chase back into life. Coughlin notched his maiden List A half-century from only 25 balls, but it was not enough.
Royal London One-Day Cup – Riverside: Gloucestershire 367-8 (C D J Dent 117, M S Harris 94) Durham 361-8 (P Coughlin 77; T J Price 4-70). Gloucestershire beat Durham by six runs. ■ Louis Kimber’s maiden List A century and a disciplined bowling performance saw Leicestershire make it three wins in four games in the Royal London Cup at the expense of a Somerset side which has now lost all four games in the competition.
Kimber hit four sixes in going to three figures off just 87 deliveries after the Foxes had struggled to 18 for three at the end of the powerplay.
South Africa internationals Beuran Hendricks and Wiaan Mulder then picked up three wickets apiece as Somerset’s chase subsided in the face of accurate seam bowling.
Matt Renshaw top-scored for the visitors with 55.
Royal London One-Day Cup – Grace Road: Leicestershire 269 (L Kimber 102, H Swindells 70) Somerset 224 (M T Renshaw 55). beat Somerset by 45 runs.