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Norwell makes history in torrent of runs

19 April 2016

Gloucestershire's overnight pair of Chris Dent and Liam Norwell gave this Championship game a real change of gear on the third day at the Brightside Ground.

Norwell completed his maiden hundred, and became the first night watchman in Gloucestershire's history to pass three figures, while Dent constructed a composed century, going on to make the top score of 180.

Hamish Marshall and Kieran Noema-Barnett then further accelerated the scoring rate as Gloucestershire accumulated 453 runs in the day before Howell was last out just before the close. Having post a first innings score of 563, Gloucestershire's overnight lead is 119, just enough to potentially trouble Derbyshire on the last day.

Listen to the thoughts of centurions Liam Norwell and Chris Dent here :

Gloucestershire began the morning with a deficit of 334 on first innings, and still needing 135 runs to avoid the follow-on. Night watchman Liam Norwell had done the essential job of surviving through to the close on Monday evening, but his achievement on the third day was far beyond what anyone could have expected.

Derbyshire had used five bowlers before the first hour was up - an indication of Gloucestershire's positive intent - with the more orthodox and experienced Chris Dent prepared to play a supporting role to the Dorset born bowler.

Norwell edged a hook over the slips off Andy Carter early on, but a couple of firm drives in the same over - one through extra cover and one past mid off - showed there were no demons in the pitch. As you might expect with someone with a career average of 12.56, there were a handful of lusty blows alongside some well timed strokes as Norwell increasingly took the aerial route, due in no small measure to the dominance of the bottom hand in his scoring shots.

He gave one chance when on 62, but it was spilled by Hughes at short extra cover, and the cheers from the crowd grew louder as Norwell's score advanced and the ball dropped safely in the outfield.

Chris Dent's last Championship innings at the Brightside Ground was his own career best 268 against Glamorgan last September, and starting the day 61 not out he followed it by completing his ninth first class hundred from 154 balls with 14 fours and one six, some of his driving through the covers showing strong early season confidence.

The freedom with which the pair scored against the Derbyshire attack put in perspective how accurately the Gloucestershire bowlers had performed over the first five sessions of the match. It must also be said that some of the Derbyshire fielders appeared to have difficulty picking up the ball in overcast light - not a problem Dent and Norwell seemed to share whoever was bowling at them.

Norwell went to lunch on 88 not out, having passed his previous best score of 78 made against Worcestershire at Cheltenham in 2014. He was nearly bowled after missing a full toss from the occasional spin of Chesney Hughes on 94, but Norwell regained his composure and punched Ben Cotton through the covers before raising both hands in celebration at reaching his hundred from only 120 balls. Finally, he got in a tangle against Hughes and was trapped lbw for 102, but his stand with Dent had added 168 in 41 overs and had gloriously entertained a larger than average Championship crowd.

By comparison with what had gone before, the afternoon session became a more even affair with Gloucestershire losing both Ian Cockbain and Gareth Roderick before tea. Cockbain had lofted Durston for a straight six as Derbyshire fiddled through the final few overs until the second new ball was due, only for Fletcher to draw an edge immediately and wicket keeper Poynton took the catch. Cockbain made 19, and skipper Roderick only five before Carter bowled his best ball of the day to remove his off stump.

Dent continued to look assured however, and whilst his progress from 100-150 was a little slower than his batting before lunch, there were still some elegant strokes particularly through the now widespread field on the off side. 114 runs were added up to tea, when Gloucestershire had cut the deficit to 76 runs.

A fifth batting point was secured soon after the resumption with Dent and Marshall still together, the latter batting freely in a situation made for him and with no sign of the Derbyshire seamers, the Gloucestershire middle order flexed its muscles and went after the spinners.

Dent, missed on 155 at slip, finally succumbed to Hughes for 180 but Marshall, Noema-Barnett and Howell picked up the baton. Marshall, who had added 99 with Dent in 18 overs, went on to make 72 : Noema-Barnett put together his own half century at a run a ball and Howell, batting at number nine, clubbed four sixes before being last out for 41. The final session produced 195 runs, predominantly against the spin of Durston and Hughes who were mercilessly dealt with. Only Derbyshire captain Hamish Rutherford will know why his seamers were used so sparingly when runs were being leaked at a rate of knots.

Gloucestershire go into the final day with a lead of 119. The pitch remains a good one to bat on, although there is some slow turn. The first hour looks set to dictate if Gloucestershire can set up a win which looked unlikely on the second evening.

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