Gloucestershire maintain on for draw regardless of Sean Hunt salvo
Gloucestershire 248 (Hammond 87*, McAndrew 5-63) and 121 for 4 (van Buuren 55*, Hunt 3-36) drew with Sussex 455 for five dec (Pujara 151, Coles 74, Alsop 67)
The climate was the one winner within the rain-ruined LV= County Championship match between Gloucestershire and Sussex at Bristol, which led to a predictable draw.
Only 41.2 overs had been bowled on a irritating last day on the Seat Unique Stadium the place the guests may need secured victory, implementing the follow-on after bowling Gloucestershire out for 248, from an in a single day 198 for 9. Miles Hammond completed unbeaten on 87, whereas Ajeet Dale contributed ten to a vital last-wicket stand of 61. Nathan McAndrew ended with figures of 5 for 63 earlier than drizzle and poor mild intervened.
With a lead of 207, Sussex requested Gloucestershire to bat once more and when play resumed at 3.30pm, lowered them to 41 for 4, left-arm seamer Sean Hunt claiming three of the wickets. But, with two runs added, extra rain introduced a second interruption to play. And, though it started once more at 5.08pm with a potential 22.2 overs nonetheless to be bowled, solely 18.2 had been despatched down earlier than the gamers shook arms, the scoreboard studying 121 for 4, with Graeme van Buuren 55 not out.
Sussex took 13 factors after dominating what play there was within the match, whereas Gloucestershire needed to accept six.
The last day started with Hammond and Dale seeking to prolong the house aspect’s first innings and bat for so long as potential. With solely a few overs till the second new ball, Sussex elected to begin with spin at each ends and the choice ought to have paid fast dividends.
Hammond, unbeaten on 42 firstly, reached a 128-ball half-century with two fours off Jack Carson after which reverse swept a 3rd boundary off James Coles. But his useful innings ought to have ended on 55 when he miscued a Coles full toss to mid-on the place Hunt spilled a catch above his head that ought to have been taken.
The complete was 211 for 9 and the error value Sussex time in addition to 37 extra runs as Hammond and Dale batted comfortably in opposition to the second new ball on what remained a really flat pitch. The pair had taken Gloucestershire to inside two of an unlikely batting level when Dale fell lbw to Tom Haines. By then the floodlights had been shining brightly beneath closely overcast skies.
Hammond had suffered a painful blow making an attempt to drag a supply from Hunt and the umpires had been already exhibiting concern in regards to the mild when Dale was dismissed.
It was no shock when, with each groups out and able to begin Gloucestershire’s second innings, they dominated circumstances unfit for play to renew.
With heavy rain forecast through the afternoon, floor employees introduced on the heavy covers. Lunch was taken and a draw appeared the one possible consequence. But on the resumption, with a potential 44 overs left to bowl, glorious opening spells by Hunt and McAndrew plunged the hosts into hassle.
Chris Dent was pinned lbw by McAndrew’s second ball of the innings, whereas the spectacular Hunt eliminated James Bracey, who edged a catch to wicketkeeper Oli Carter. It was virtually 9 for 3 as Hammond nicked the ball at catchable peak between Carter and first slip Tom Alsop.
Sussex wanted to take such possibilities. But Hunt struck two extra blows, eradicating Marcus Harris leg earlier than and Hammond to a different Carter catch earlier than the climate closed in once more with the overall 43 for 4.
Again the covers went on and had been withdrawn for a last resumption. Gloucestershire skipper van Buuren, who had entered the fray at 16 for 3 on a king pair, went on the counterattack and reached an entertaining fifty off 59 balls, with 11 fours.
Ollie Price offered strong assist, however having been denied a possible victory at Worcester by rain of their earlier sport, van Buuren’s males had trigger to be grateful to the climate this time.