Alex Leads From The Front At Worcester
16 August 2014
Alex Gidman was dismissed for 146 and Gareth Roderick for 98 before Worcestershire launched a determined fightback on the second day of the LV=County Championship match at New Road.
Having trailed by 184 on first innings, the hosts closed on 154-2, with Richard Oliver unbeaten on a career-best 87, and had reduced the deficit to just 30.
At the start of the day Gidman and Roderick extended their third-wicket stand to 161 before Gareth fell just two short of a hundred, having faced 119 balls and hit 15 fours.
Alex, captaining the side in the absence of Michael Klinger, went on to reach three figures off 165 deliveries with 17 boundaries, having been unbeaten on 57 overnight.
He was finally out having made his top score of the summer and helped his side into a powerful position. But the rest of Gloucestershire's batting proved disappointing, only Benny Howell making much impression with 32 as they were bowled out for 378.
It still looked a useful lead when the acting skipper held two slip catches to reduce Worcestershire to 32-2 in their second innings.
But Alexei Kervezee (50 not out) then joined opener Oliver in an unbroken stand of 122 to put the home side back in contention.
For more details of day two at New Road click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
