Dent Stands Firm As Masters Strikes
28 April 2014
Chris Dent battled his way to an unbeaten 47 as Gloucestershire's batsmen were made to struggle on a rain-interrupted second day of the LV=County Championship match with Essex at Bristol.
After the first day washout and a delayed start until noon, visiting skipper James Foster won the toss and had little hesitation in asking the hosts to bat first under heavily overcast skies.
Conditions were perfect for experienced seamer David Masters, who soon reduced Gloucestershire to 0-2 by removing Michael Klinger and Will Tavare in his second over.
Graham Napier weighed in with two wickets and Masters struck again to remove Will Gidman as the home side slipped to 66-5 either side of lunch.
Cameron Herring helped Dent take the score to 104 before bad light and more rain brought a halt to play at shortly after 2.15pm.
The players returned to the field at 5pm and Masters claimed his fourth wicket when Herring was caught behind for ten to leave Gloucestershire 104-6.
That is how it remained as bad light brought the day to an end with Dent still standing firm, having faced 92 balls and hit 8 fours.
It was a staunch effort by the opener in hugely testing conditions. For more details on day two at the County Ground click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
