News

Howell takes charge on Day two in Cardiff

20 September 2017

Benny Howell has not played any championship cricket this season, and has only opened the innings occasionally for Gloucestershire in 2012 when he joined the county from Hampshire but when play ended early today,  the 29 year old all-rounder was only four runs away from a second championship century, the first made against Leicestershire two years ago.

Gloucestershire will resume on 161 for 1, still trailing by 281, with Howell on 96 and James Bracey on 45.

Howell adapted well to his new role, and with Chris Dent in fluent form, the opening pair put on 53 in 15 overs, before Dent sparred at one from Ruaidhri Smith to give wicketkeeper Chris Cooke a straightforward catch.

Howell was then joined by 20yr old James Bracey, a local product from the Bristol area, and after playing himself in, the wicketkeeper batsman played some elegant shots through the offside. The second wicket pair have added 108 for the second wicket, and with the slow pitch offering anything to pace or spin, and with further rain likely to cause interruptions over the final two days, a draw is the likely outcome to this end of season encounter.

50 UP: Benny Howell, on his return to the side has replied immediately with a terrific half century.

Reaching his 50 off just 62 balls👏👏 pic.twitter.com/HWVQ7M1nBh

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) September 20, 2017

Earlier Kiran Carlson was dismissed nine runs short of becoming Glamorgan’s youngest double centurion, when he chipped Jack Taylor to mid - on.

The 19yr old from Cardiff scored 191, an innings that lasted 7 hours 23 minutes and during the course of his innings, Carlson faced 319 balls, striking 26 boundaries and 2 sixes.

After losing two wickets in the final 15 minutes at the end of the first day, Smith helped Carlson add 97 runs for the eighth wicket, before Jack Taylor took two wickets in three balls, Smith edged Taylor’s arm ball to slip, before Marchant De Lange was trapped leg before without scoring.

After losing 2 wickets for three runs at the end of the first day, Smith and Carlson joined Carlson in a productive 97 run partnership for the eighth wicket. Smith made 38, before he became the first of Jack Taylor’s victims within three balls. Smith edged Taylor’s arm ball to slip, then Marchant De Lange was trapped LBW attempting to heave the off spinner to mid- wicket.

Reaction

Benny Howell said after the day’s play that” it was very pleasing to hit the ball well after a frustrating season where I have been out of the side because of various niggles and injuries. I began my career as an opener, and after today hopefully I can push on and refresh my career in that position.”

He added ”I still want to play in all forms of cricket, especially the one- day format, and I could possibly move up the order and bat higher.”

When asked about where this game was going Howell said “it is not up to me- the captains will discuss whether to have a game, especially as we are at the end of the season, and I suppose that if we do get further rain then potentially we could set up a result”.

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