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Klinger Keeps His Side Top Of Table

2 June 2013

Michael Klinger led from the front as Gloucestershire retained top spot in Group C with a five-wicket YB40 victory over Yorkshire at Headingley.

Another excellent 40-over performance saw the skipper make 96 as his team reached their target of 241 with a comfortable 11 balls to spare.

Hamish Marshall contributed 44 to an opening stand of 71 with Klinger before Gareth Roderick demonstrated his potential  with 63 off 66 balls, with 4 fours and a six.

There was a late wobble from 193-1 to 226-5, but by the time Klinger was out just four short of a deserved hundred Gloucestershire needed only 15 to win.

The captain faced 98 balls, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes as Gloucestershire ran up 243-5 in 38.1 overs.

Earlier David Payne and Alex Gidman had grabbed two wickets each as Yorkshire were restricted to 240-6 after winning the toss.

Benny Howell was the most economical Gloucestershire bowler, conceding only 32 from seven overs, while young off-spinner Miles Hammond bowled his full quota of eight overs on debut and claimed the wicket of Gary Ballance for figures of 1-50.

On sour note for Gloucestershire was an injury to Chris Dent, who fell awkwardly in the field and damaged his back.

He was unable to bat, which made victory all the more praiseworthy. With Somerset beating Glamorgan at Taunton, Gloucestershire retain a one point lead over their arch-rivals, having played one more game.

Michael Klinger told this website: "Unfortunately we picked up yet another injury. At this stage Chris is pretty sore and has to be a doubt for the Championship game against Glamorgan this week.

"With him being unable to bat, Gareth Roderick was pushed up the order and he responded with a terrific innings.

"Miles Hammond bowled better than his figures suggested and could easily have finished with 3-40. We don't want to heap too much on him too soon, but he looked an exciting talent.

"I was also pleased with our bowling in general towards the end of the Yorkshire innings. We have been working on that and both David Payne and James Fuller did well in keeping their total to what I thought was about par.

"I was more upset at failing to see the team home than falling just short of a hundred. I pride myself on being able to see things through in that sort of situation.

"In the end I played a nothing shot to get caught at mid-off and there were a few more nerves than there should have been.

"Ed Young will be seeing a different doctor about his wrist injury tomorrow, but it could well be that Miles Hammond will be our only option if we elect to play a spinner against Glamorgan."

For more details of the game at Headingley click on Match Reports.

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