Dent and Harris shine in nail biting game against Durham
12 August 2022
Gloucestershire held their nerve in the final over against Durham amid a tense run chase to claim a six-run victory in their Royal London Cup clash at Seat Unique Riverside.
Tom Price was on the money with the ball in the closing overs to claim figures of four for 70 to deny the home side, who put forward a valiant effort in their chase of 368 courtesy of a 38-ball knock of 77 from Paul Coughlin. There was almost late drama from Price in the final over, but the seamer held his composure to prevent an incredible comeback from the North-East outfit.
Chris Dent's fifth List A century had allowed Gloucestershire to post a daunting score of 367 from their 50 overs, the highest in List A history at the Riverside. Dent received vital support from Marcus Harris in a partnership of 172, with the Aussie falling narrowly short of his ton. In the end their contributions were vital to securing their third win in five matches to take their side top of Group A.
After being inserted by Durham, the visitors made a solid start to the innings, fending off the threat of Chris Rushworth and Ollie Gibson. Both Gloucestershire openers gave chances as Sean Dickson was unable to take a tough diving catch at mid-wicket to remove Ben Wells. Scott Borthwick's drop was less forgivable as he shelled a skier from Dent on 35, which would prove to be very costly.
Coughlin ensured that Wells could not kick on from his start, bowling the right-hander for 39, but Dent and Harris would provide the foundation for a dominant Gloucestershire total with a standing of 172 for the second wicket. Dent and Harris took the attack to the Durham bowlers, particularly the spin of Borthwick to propel the run rate above seven runs per over. Harris played an effortless knock and eased to his half-century from 63 balls.
Harris appeared to be on his way to three figures, but his attempt to clear the rope against Trevaskis cost him his wicket for 94 when Nic Maddinson claimed a good low catch. Gloucestershire's quest for quick runs sparked a collapse from 282 for two to 325 for seven as Dent departed for 117, while James Bracey and Jack Taylor fell for 31 and 24 respectively. Oliver Price provided late power with a 19-ball knock of 31, including 18 runs off Gibson's final over, propelling the visitors to the highest List A score at the Riverside.
Durham made a measured start in their reply as openers Graham Clark and Jonathan Bushnell worked their way to a fifty partnership. However, both openers fell to Tom Price after making starts, elevating the run rate and increasing the pressure on the rest of the Durham ranks.
Maddinson and Borthwick stabilised the innings with a stand of 67, but the two players were always under duress to raise the run rate. Zafar Gohar turned the game in Gloucestershire's favour by breaking the partnership to bowl Maddinson through the gate before Borthwick's attempt at a slog down the ground resulted in his dismissal to the left-armer for 45.
Dickson provided impetus scoring two sixes in his 33-ball 40, but he missed a straight one from Gohar to be pinned lbw. The required rate climbed to 12 runs per over and the pressure told as Trevaskis was the next wicket to fall for 43.
Coughlin and Tomas Mackintosh provided late drama, sparking the run chase back into life with a brisk partnership worth 70. Coughlin notched his maiden List A half-century from only 25 balls, taking the game into the last over with three sixes. Durham required 19 off the final over against Tom Price, but he removed Coughlin and managed to hold his nerve, despite bowling a no-ball from the penultimate delivery, steering his side to a narrow win.
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