Ian And Will Secure Quarter-Final Place
13 August 2014
A match winning innings from Ian Cockbain (pictured) and a fine all-round performance from Will Gidman ensured Gloucestershire of a five-wicket win over Worcestershire at New Road and a place in the Royal London One-Day Cup quarter-finals.
The two points gained put the team level with Yorkshire at the top of Group A and guaranteed a top four finish. Now the aim will be to win the last group game against Derbyshire at Derby tomorrow week to boost hopes of a home tie at the start of the knock-out phase.
Will Gidman claimed 4-41 from his ten overs as Worcestershire collapsed from 171-2 to be bowled out for 229 in 48.5 overs after losing the toss.
The all-rounder then hit 44 in Gloucestershire's reply. But it was Cockbain who took most of the batting plaudits as his side reached a revised target of 214 in 41 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system with 17 balls to spare.
Ian hit an unbeaten 98 off 114 balls, with 13 fours, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 64 with Gareth Roderick after Gloucestershire had been reduced to 10-3.
Will Gidman helped add a further 76 for the fifth wicket before brother Alex joined Cockbain to see their team through to a fourth group success in seven games. There have also been two no results.
Cockbain and Alex Gidman, who made 28 not out, had added 66 together when the former hit the winning boundary.
A delighted Michael Klinger told this website: "It was a fantastic innings from Ian Cockbain and we're only sorry that he didn't quite get to the hundred he deserved.
"I'm sure he will be just as pleased over finishing not out because we have talked a lot about batsmen seeing the job through and he did that brilliantly today.
"Will Gidman and David Payne bowled really well at the start of the day and although a couple of the Worcestershire batsmen got decent scores it was more down to them playing well than us bowling poorly.
"We fancied our chances at the halfway stage, but then some rain came and our target was revised twice, once after we had been reduced to 10-3.
"Ian and Gareth Roderick played positively even though we were in trouble and that meant the required run rate never rose much above five an over.
"It's great to be in the quarter-finals and we will be doing all we can to secure a home tie because that would mean a big day for the club and the supporters."
The quarter-finals take place during the week commencing August 25th, with one on the Tuesday, two on the Thursday and one on the Friday.
For more details of the game at New Road click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
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