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Glos battle back after Brook ton

15 April 2022

Harry Brook’s fifth first class century guided Yorkshire into a strong position on the second day of the LV= County Championship match against Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol. 

Dropped on 99, the 23-year-old former England Under-19 captain was dismissed for 101 as his side replied the hosts’ first innings score of 227 with 334 for eight to lead by 107. 

Adam Lyth hit 54 and there were useful contributions from Dawid Malan (39), Harry Duke (34), Dom Bess (36) and Jordan Thompson (31 not out) 

But it was Brook, who held the innings together after Yorkshire had slipped to 135 for four, still trailing by 92 runs. His hundred came off 161 balls, with 11 fours and a six. 

Seamers Ajeet Singh Dale and Josh Shaw claimed two wickets each and there was a tidy effort from left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar, who had figures of one for 43 from 18 tight overs as Gloucestershire’s bowlers stuck to their task in warm sunshine. 

Yorkshire have won all four previous matches in which Brook has reached three figures and will be optimistic of keeping the sequence going against opponents still coming to terms with a return to First Division cricket in the Championship. 

Brook needed just one moment of fortune. On the brink of his ton, he edged seamer Ben Charlesworth low to second slip where Tom Lace spilled the chance, diving to his left. 

Yorkshire began the day on 37 without loss and had added only four when George Hill fenced at a short ball from Singh-Dale and edged through to wicketkeeper James Bracey. 

Soon it was 48 for two as James Wharton shouldered arms to a delivery from Ryan Higgins that nipped back off the seam and bowled him for four. 

After a watchful spell, Lyth and Malan looked to increase the scoring rate and both looked in good form on an excellent batting surface. 

Lyth moved to his fifty with a swept boundary off Zafar, having faced 125 deliveries and hit 9 fours and a six. 

But, with the total on 115, the experienced opener drove at a wide ball from Charlesworth and was well caught at slip by the diving Miles Hammond. 

The lunch score was 129 for three. With six runs added, Malan was bowled by Ajeet on the back foot, edging onto his leg stump. 

Brook and Duke needed to rebuild the innings as did so with increasing confidence, putting together a vital partnership of 91 in 29 overs. 

Both might have been run out in a mix-up over a quick single with the total on 146 and Gloucestershire were made to rue not taking either opportunity. 

Brook went on to an 84-ball half-century before Duke, who had played equally well, attempted to dab a ball from Zahar through slip and nicked a catch to Bracey. 

By tea, Yorkshire had reached 239 for five and, with a single added, Gloucestershire took the second new ball. 

It had little effect, Brook picking up a delivery from Higgins over mid-wicket for six as he and the typically positive Bess added 71. 

But Gloucestershire refused to lie down, Shaw striking twice as Bess edged a drive through to Bracey and Brook saw a back foot defensive shot send the ball dribbling onto his stumps. 

Graeme van Buuren had Matt Fisher caught behind to complete an impressive fightback. 

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