Cheltenham’s College Ground hosted a historic County Championship Division Two match between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire. During the red-ball match, both teams played with a great deal of grit and effort, but ultimately, neither was able to secure all of the points.
The bowlers controlled the first two innings, with Glamorgan scoring 197 to Gloucestershire’s 197.
But starting in the third innings, the pitch became easier, and Gloucestershire, captained by Graeme van Buuren, declared at a formidable 610/5. James Bracey scored the most, hitting 204 off 231 balls without losing. Epic centuries were also achieved by Miles Hammond (121) and Cameron Bancroft (184). With a half-century of his own, Beau Webster helped the hosts set a target of 593 for their opponents.
Marnus Labuschagne (119) and skipper Sam Northeast (187), in response, scored incredible scores to keep Glamorgan in the hunt for an unlikely victory. At 561, the visitors lost their ninth wicket and needed 32 runs to win. Mason Crane and Jamie Mcllroy had a 31-run partnership off 43 balls to level the score, but Ajeet Dale removed the former with the final delivery after it was collected by wicketkeeper Bracey—who was not wearing a glove.
Bracey expressed his disappointment at not winning the match, but being excited to be involved in the exciting match that finished in a tie.
“”To be honest, I’m very sad because we should have won the game. However, as time goes on, we’ll probably realise that we were ahead by eight points heading into the final ball rather than behind by eight. It’s pretty surprising on all counts because you wouldn’t have expected it going to the last ball with a chase close to 600 (after the first innings).
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The 27-year-old continued by acknowledging that, after giving it their all in the match, it was fair for the two teams to split the points. “There is much to be said for the calibre of the batting, but our bowlers put in a lot of effort. Sam and Marnus played outstanding innings, and three of our players scored hundreds. Eight points apiece is probably pretty fair, in your opinion.”
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