James Bracey, County Championship. (Pic source: David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
College Ground in Cheltenham witnessed a match for the ages between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire in the County Championship Division Two. Both teams showed a lot of grit and determination during the red-ball fixture and in the end, neither of them managed to secure full points.
The first two innings were dominated by the bowlers as Glamorgan scored 197 in reply to Gloucestershire’s 197. However, the pitch eased out from the third innings onwards as Graeme van Buuren-led Gloucestershire declared at a daunting 610/5. James Bracey top-scored with an unbeaten knock of 204 off 231 balls. Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft (184) and Miles Hammond (121) also scored epic centuries. Beau Webster also chipped in with a half-century as the hosts set a target of 593 for their opponents.
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In reply, Marnus Labuschagne (119) and captain Sam Northeast (187) scored spectacular tons to keep Glamorgan in the hunt to pull off an improbable win. The visitors lost their ninth wicket at 561, still requiring 32 runs for a victory. Jamie Mcllroy and Mason Crane stitched a 31-run partnership off 43 balls to tie the scores before the former was dismissed by Ajeet Dale off the last ball, caught by wicketkeeper Bracey, who wasn’t wearing a glove.
After the riveting encounter ended in a tie, Bracey said that he was thrilled to be a part of the game but was disappointed to not come out with a win.
“”I’m extremely disappointed to be honest, we should probably have won the game, though as it settles in we’ll probably see it as eight points gained going into the last ball rather than eight lost. (After the first innings) you wouldn’t have seen it going to the last ball with a chase close to 600, so it’s pretty remarkable on all counts.
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The 27-year-old went on to admit that it was fair for the two teams to split points after giving it their all during the clash. “Sam and Marnus played brilliant innings, three of our guys got hundreds so there’s a lot to be said for the quality of the batting but our bowlers worked tirelessly. You’d probably say eight points each is very fair.”
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