da betobet: Gloucestershire’s batting revival continued at King’s School, Gloucester,today as a century from captain Mark Alleyne led them to a commanding 359-7in the CricInfo Championship second division match with Durham
Mark Easterbrook13-Jun-2001Gloucestershire’s batting revival continued at King’s School, Gloucester,today as a century from captain Mark Alleyne led them to a commanding 359-7in the CricInfo Championship second division match with Durham.The West Country side took only two batting bonus points from their firstfour games, but then gained nine from the next two matches.A further five could be within reach from this game after Alleyne, with 132,and Chris Taylor and Jeremy Snape, who made 54 and 53 respectively, helpedthem recover from early troubles.After Alleyne had won the toss – and Durham skipper Jon Lewis had lost itfor the fourth successive Championship match – Gloucestershire were reducedto 28-3 by left-arm seamer Simon Brown in his second appearance of theseason after a side strain.Brown, swinging the ball in the humid conditions, had Dominic Hewson caughtat mid-off, Matt Windows held at short leg and Kim Barnett taken at secondslip.The innings was rescued by Alleyne and Taylor, who shared a fourth-wicketpartnership of 154 in 43 overs which saw them take full advantage of theshort boundaries square of the wicket.Taylor eventualy fell leg before to off-spinner Nicky Phillips, but therewas no respite for Durham as Jeremy Snape came in and immediately went onthe attack.He had ten fours and a mid-wicket six in his 56-ball half-century beforePhillips had him stumped by Andy Pratt.Alleyne’s hundred – the 19th of his first-class career – contained 18 foursand came from 167 deliveries.When he departed, caught at slip by Martin Love off Phillips, he had struck22 fours in his 226-ball innings.Mark Hardinges was bowled by Steve Harmison for 20, but Jack Russellcompleted a good day for Gloucestershire by reaching 38 not out at theclose.Gloucestershire seamer James Averis was presented with his county cap duringthe lunch interval by director of cricket John Bracewell. The 27-year-oldhas now become a regular in the Championship side as well as the one-dayteam.