Hankins in the runs as 2nd XI suffer narrow defeat to Yorskhire
14 April 2016
A century from George Hankins in the first innings and 78 not out in the second couldn’t prevent Gloucestershire 2nd XI slipping to an agonising one-wicket defeat against Yorkshire at the Brightside Ground, Bristol.
Needing 320 to win, the visitors looked to be cruising at 297-5 but lost four wickets for 18 runs before rallying to secure victory with just six balls to spare.
To view the full scorecard click here.
Having lost day one to rain, play got underway on the second day with Glos skipper Tom Smith choosing to bat. Despite the bowler friendly conditions the decision was based on the likelihood of the first team being regularly asked bat first at home with the new rules over the toss.
The home side fell to 16 -3 with Smith, Brandon Gilmour and Miles Hammond back in the pavilion.
A stand of 34 between George Hankins and academy batter Jordan Garrett steadied the ship before the latter was caught a mid-wicket for six.
This brought Bristol Cricket Club and Glos Academy batter James Bracey in to join Hankins at the crease. They added 91, putting Gloucestershire firmly back in the game before Bracey went for 43.
Hankins – who had made 154 in the previous match v Bristol University - continued to play well, latching on to anything short and hitting the ball all round the ground to bring his 100 up with ease.
But with the score on 174-5 he gloved a pull shot off England U19 international Jared Warner which was well-taken by Yorkshire wicket keeper Andrew Hodd down the legs side.
The other notable performance with the bat for Glos was a gutsy 22 from 15 year-old Ben Charlesworth on his Second XI debut in the face of some hostile bowling.
With home side eventually all out for 220, Yorkshire declared on 67 for 1 off 11 overs to ensure the match remained competitive on day three.
Starting their second innings after tea Gloucestershire again lost early wickets, falling to 13-2 in the face of some excellent new ball bowling from Yorkshire.
Hankins again made batting look easy from ball one. Along with Hammond - in his only three day appearance before heading back to University until June - the pair hit the middle of the bat regularly to take their team to 75 for 2 at the close.
Both batters continued to play well the next morning, taking the score to 166-2 and both finishing unbeaten - Hankins with 78 Hammond with 75 - as Glos setting Yorkshire 320 to win in 78 overs.
Chris Liddle (1-46) struck early, removing former Sussex team mate Hodd to sharp catch from Gilmour at midwicket.
This was Gloucestershire's only wicket until just before tea as Yorkshire took control. Tom Smith eventually removed Gibson for 97 to make it 174-2 at the interval.
After tea the hosts came out scrapping.
Led by spinners Smith (3-84) and Hammond (2-71), Gloucestershire kept chipping away to leave Yorkshire five down going in to the last hour with 52 still needed.
A tense finished looked on the cards as Gloucestershire continued to build pressure.
Another wicket each for Smith and Hammond, combined with two run outs took the game to the wire with six to win from the final two overs with the last two men at the crease.
Smith then took the edge with one that spun sharply and produces and edge that fell agonisingly short of Hankins at slip. The next ball was then hit for four to bring scores level.
Hammond then bowled five dots before the Yorkshire 10 and 11 scrambled a single to see them home with one over to spare.
Second XI coach Owen Dawkins said: “I would have been delighted if we could have won the game but I am very happy with the efforts form the lads and there were some excellent performances. We all will be working on our skills but the fighting qualities we showed were pleasing and will stand us in good stead moving forward.”
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