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Groundhog Day for Glos as Klinger makes 104* in losing cause v Glamorgan

12 June 2015

For the second time in 24 hours Gloucestershire skipper Michael Klinger made an unbeaten 104 in a losing cause – this time in 19 run defeat to Glamorgan.

Just as in the 18 run loss to Essex the night before, the Australian – who has now scored 403 runs in this year’s NatWest T20 Blast without being out – was left to almost single-handedly carry his side over the line.

Gloucestershire’s Groundhog Day was almost uncanny– as well as an identical score for Klinger – the team were chasing 192 against Glamorgan compared to 182 v Essex and fell 19 runs compared to 18 at Chelmsford.

To watch a post match video with Michael click below

The night also began in the same fashion with Klinger winning the toss and choosing to bowl.

And it looked a shrewd decision when James Fuller’s first over went for just 1.

But Glos were unable to keep the early pressure up as David Payne (1-42) was dispatched for two consecutive straight sixes by Craig Meschede as the hosts took 19 off the over.

Like at Essex Gloucestershire struggled to pick up early wickets and this failure, coupled with a few uncharacteristically expensive overs cost them

A career best 101* from Glamorgan skipper Jacques Rudolph helped his side to 191-3 – the highest total conceded by Gloucestershire this year.

The former South African international carried his bat, bringing up his first ever T20 century in the last over off his 70^th ball. His innings, a master-class in controlled aggression, included 13 fours.

He was supported by entertaining cameos from Meschede (26 off 18), Colin Ingram (28 off 18) and Chris Cooke (20 off 12).

Benny Howell (2-22 from 4) again proved difficult to get away in the middle overs, picking up the wickets of Meschede, caught by Ian Cockbain at long on and Colin Ingram LBW a ball after being dropped by the same fielder in the deep.

The highlight of the Glos fielding display was a superb one-handed reflex catch by Payne off his own bowling(pictured)to dismiss Cooke.

Gloucestershire’s reply again centred around one man, their inspirational skipper Michael Klinger.

Fresh from making 104 not out from his side’s 163-8 against Essex the previous night, he picked up where he left off with a commanding knock that saw him finish on the same score. His innings – which was loudly celebrated by the home support -  came off 63 balls with 10 fours and three sixes.

But for the second time in 24 hours he was left to do it on his own as only Geraint Jones (25 of 22) made a meaningful contribution.

Chasing a challenging target the home side got off to a poor start when Chris Dent (1) pulled to Andrew Slater at deep backward square leg off Michael Hogan in the second over.

Klinger and Cockbain put on 54 for the second wicket before the latter was caught by Ingram at long on off Graham Wagg.

With drizzle falling Glos promoted Jack Taylor up the order – possibly to help them catch up with the Duckworth Lewis score. He was dropped first ball but his reprieve was short-lived a she was caught by Hogan off left arm spinner Dean Cosker in the next over.

Peter Handscomb came and went for 9 – caught Wagg bowled Salter. And his replacement, Jones looked the man most likely to help Klinger chase down the target.

But despite some clean hitting and hard-running from both men the score always seemed just out of their reach.

Excellent death bowling by Hogan and Wagg left Glos 19 run short at the end.

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