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Alex Sets Up Prospect Of Exciting Finish

11 May 2012

Alex Gidman and Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale agreed a contrived target to set up an exciting final day of the LV=County Championship match at Bristol.

The visitors closed day three on 30 for one, having been set 400 for victory from what will be a minimum of 111 overs.

Only a draw looked possible after Gloucestershire had begun day three on 165 for two and progressed to 299 for nine, Kane Williamson making 111.

But by then the captains had got together. Following a flurry of wickets Gale introduced himself and Adam Lyth to the bowling attack, sending down 3.1 overs of cannon fodder between them to concede 52 more runs.

Laat pair Ian Saxelby (27 not out) and Graeme McCarter (29 not out) capitalised with a series of fours and sixes before Gloucesershire declared at 351-9.

Yorkshire then forfeited their first innings and the hosts added 48 without loss batting again, using up 27 overs before declaring.

That left the target as exactly 400 and the visitors soon lost opener Joe Sayers, caught behind off Will Gidman for a single.

Now Yorkshire need a further 370 off 96 overs tomorrow, while Gloucestershire require nine wickets for a second Championship win of the season.

Alex told this website: "Andrew Gale instigated the discussion about contriving a target and I was quick to agree. We are in the business of winning cricket matches and this gives us a chance.

"It is a good batting pitch, but at the same time 400 is a lot of runs to get. What's certain is that we will get more out of tomorrow as a team than if we were facing a certain draw.

"We are in the entertainment business and now there is the prospect of a really attractive final day for spectators, which is also important.

"We will give it a real go and I am looking forward to some very exciting cricket."

For more details of day three against Yorkshire click on Cricket and then Match reports.

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