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Glos lead after more Zafar magic

21 September 2021

Pakistan spinner Zafar Gohar took his second consecutive five-wicket haul as Gloucestershire edged the opening day against Durham at Bristol with the visitors bundled out for 140 before the hosts closed 146 for six. Gohar, the left-armer from Lahore, took six for 43

Pakistan spinner Zafar Gohar took his second consecutive five-wicket haul as Gloucestershire edged the opening day against Durham at Bristol with the visitors bundled out for 140 before the hosts closed 146 for six.

Gohar, the left-armer from Lahore, took six for 43 to bowl his side to victory at Cardiff last week and followed up with five for 50 back at Nevil Road.

It was a disaster for Durham having won the toss, losing six for 31 in 12 overs after lunch.

The day began in pleasant sunshine but play was suspended after only five balls as a helicopter burred overhead.

Sadly, it was the emergency services who landed on the outfield and the South Western Ambulance Service said “the Air Ambulance landed to support their response to an emergency incident at a nearby residential address”.

After a 20 minute delay, David Payne struck twice in two balls. He swung one back from a full length to trap Michael Jones lbw for 6 and next ball had the left-handed Scott Borthwick squared up and edging to first slip.

Alex Lees took Gohar for three consecutive boundaries in his first over but the left-arm spinner had his man in the over before lunch. Lees, on 40, missed with an attempted sweep and as the ball cannoned away of his pad it caught the back of his bat and looped to slip.

Gohar had Daniel Bedingham also held at slip but in far more conventional fashion as he prodded forward and Durham took lunch in trouble at 78 for four.

After the break, Paul Coughlin, for nine, and Liam Trevaskis, first ball, both swept Gohar to deep square before Ben Raine, with only No. 11 Chris Rushworth for company, charged and poked him to point.

Gloucestershire’s other left-arm spinner, Graeme van Buuren, also enjoyed success with three for 28. Ned Eckersley chipped a catch to cover for 20, Matt Potts drove a catch straight back to the bowler before perhaps the delivery of the day bowled Graham Clark with one that spun past his outside edge.

In reply, Gloucestershire were well placed at 93 for three as van Buuren, who made 62, shared a stand of 51 with Tom Lace but neither could get through to the close and when Ryan Higgins fell in the final over of the day, Durham were back in the match.

It was a disaster for Durham having won the toss, losing six for 31 in 12 overs after lunch. The day began in pleasant sunshine but play was suspended after only five balls as a helicopter burred overhead. Sadly, it was the emergency services who landed on the outfield and the South Western Ambulance Service said “the Air Ambulance landed to support their response to an emergency incident at a nearby residential address”.

After a 20 minute delay, David Payne struck twice in two balls. He swung one back from a full length to trap Michael Jones lbw for 6 and next ball had the left-handed Scott Borthwick squared up and edging to first slip. Alex Lees took Gohar for three consecutive boundaries in his first over but the left-arm spinner had his man in the over before lunch. Lees, on 40, missed with an attempted sweep and as the ball cannoned away of his pad it caught the back of his bat and looped to slip. Gohar had Daniel Bedingham also held at slip but in far more conventional fashion as he prodded forward and Durham took lunch in trouble at 78 for four.

After the break, Paul Coughlin, for nine, and Liam Trevaskis, first ball, both swept Gohar to deep square before Ben Raine, with only No. 11 Chris Rushworth for company, charged and poked him to point. Gloucestershire’s other left-arm spinner, Graeme van Buuren, also enjoyed success with three for 28. Ned Eckersley chipped a catch to cover for 20, Matt Potts drove a catch straight back to the bowler before perhaps the delivery of the day bowled Graham Clark with one that spun past his outside edge.

In reply, Gloucestershire were well placed at 93 for three as van Buuren, who made 62, shared a stand of 51 with Tom Lace but neither could get through to the close and when Ryan Higgins fell in the final over of the day, Durham were back in the match.

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