Superb Klinger and Howell seal victory
5 June 2014
Michael Klinger and Benny Howell put in a superb second innings performance to lead the team to a stunning win as Gloucestershire claimed a nine-wicket win over Leicestershire in LV= County Championship Division Two. The skipper hit a brilliant 129 undefeated.
After all play was abandoned due to rain on day three at Grace Road, the Leicestershire skipper Sarwan made a declaration setting Gloucestershire a target of 251 in 39 overs. And Klinger’s 124-ball coupled with a big hitting unbeaten 78 off 59 balls from Benny Howell, saw the visitors home and left Leicestershire still searching for a first win of the season.
Leicestershire started the final day 12 - 0, a lead of 21, but soon lost their first wicket as Geraint Jones took a catch behind off Liam Norwell to remove Greg Smith for 10.
Eckersley then fell for 34 as the on loan wicket-keeper Jones took another catch behind the stumps, off the bowling of Will Gidman, who claimed his 31st wicket of the season. Sarwan added 24 before Howell dismissed him, Jones taking his third catch of the innings.
Angus Robson was next to go, although he put in an impressive performance and looked on target for a maiden first-class century before spinner Tom Smith had him lbw for 96.
Josh Cobb brought up his 50 off 77 balls, but when Rob Taylor (24) went next ball to hand Smith his second wicket, the innings was declared on 241-5.
Gloucestershire got off to a flying start with two Klinger fours in a ten-run first over, and they maintained a good pace with the skipper bringing up his 50 off just 54 balls.
Alex Gidman was scoring at a similar rate, but not seeing as much of the strike, and Klinger clobbered the first six of the innings to bring up the Gloucestershire 100 in the 18th over.
Gidman fell for 37 after skying Taylor into the hands of Smith, but the arrival of Howell at the crease did not halt momentum, with the 150 coming up in the 26th over.
Howell’s 50 came off just 41 balls and Klinger went to three figures in the following over, bringing up his first century of the season in 109 deliveries.
Klinger and Howell then moved through the gears as they raced towards victory and Howell confirmed the win with a six off Jagir Naik.
Next up for Michael Klinger and the team is an away trip to Hove to face Sussex on Friday night in the NatWest T20 Blast. The team will then be back in Bristol for an afternoon of T20 cricket against Glamorgan. Gates open at 12.30pm for a 2.30pm start.
