Alex And Gareth Break County Record
9 September 2014
Alex Gidman and Gareth Roderick produced a record-breaking third-wicket stand of 392 on the opening day of the LV=County Championship match with Leicestershire at the Bristol County Ground.
Coming together at 47-2 after Alex had won the toss, they were not parted until the score had reached 439, having batted together for 66.2 overs.
The stand eclipsed Gloucestershire’s previous highest for the third-wicket, set back in 1933 by Walter Hammond and Bev Lyon, also against Leicestershire at Leicester, and was only three short of the county’s record partnership for any wicket in first class cricket.
That remains the 395 put together by Martin Young and Ron Nicholls against Oxford University at Oxford in 1962. The stand between Alex and Gareth was Gloucestershire’s highest in a County Championship fixture.
Gareth was finally dismissed for a career-best 171, made from 239 balls, with 15 fours and 2 sixes, while Alex was still there at the close, unbeaten on 221, having faced 233 balls and hit 29 fours and 3 sixes.
Their efforts helped Gloucestershire post a massive 513-5 by the close, watched by an appreciative crowd basking in warm sunshine.
At the close Alex told this website: “I’m not that fussed about beating my career best score, but the partnership was so enjoyable and what I will remember most from the day.
“One of the umpires told us about the third-wicket record, presumably having looked it up during tea, but we weren’t aware of how close we were to the highest Gloucestershire stand for any wicket.
“Gareth is a class player with a big future. He is gutted that he got out so close to the big record, but we were in the zone and not thinking about it.”
Gareth admitted: “I had an eye on my first double hundred so I was already gutted to get out before I got back to the dressing room and was told about the record for any wicket.
“When Will Gidman told me it added insult to injury. But I am still very happy. It has been a season of mixed emotions for me, having broken my finger twice.
“Alex is a great person to bat with because he stays just relaxed enough, while talking to you at every opportunity to keep you switched on.
“It was the most enjoyable partnership I have ever been involved in and hopefully it has put us in a strong position.”
For more details of a memorable day at the Bristol County Ground click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
