By Geoff Leonard
September 26 2008
Kadeer Ali led a spirited fight-back as Gloucestershire attempted to achieve an unlikely draw against Essex. Having recovered somewhat from a precarious 89-5 to 163-5 at lunch, a clattering of wickets soon afterwards saw them dismissed for only 195, thereby managing no batting bonus points. Once again, careless shots proved the downfall of many batsmen.
William Porterfield’s patient 69, just the kind of innings I’d been calling for, was the key to the mini-recovery and he was well-supported by Steve Snell (32) who was a little more aggressive. However, they both fell in quick succession straight after lunch, and with Dawson and Lewis preferring to hit out rather than play patiently on a good wicket, their innings of 12 a-piece lasted just a few balls each. Kirby didn’t last long, either, though he often appeared to look quite comfortable, and the innings closed at 195.
The follow-on was enforced and Gloucestershire's second innings began disastrously when Porterfield appeared to play down the wrong line to a straight delivery from Jahid and Marshall went back and across to the very next ball and was plumb lbw. This brought debutant Woodman to the crease and after a nervous beginning the left-hander began to look reasonably at home and stroked a couple of boundaries. Alas, after adding 43 with Kadeer he misjudged a ball from Palladino and was caught and bowled for 13. That might not seem much but it was a 50-ball innings and he showed some promise.
Taylor joined the solid-looking Kadeer and after a slow start began to look in control. He hit a succession of boundaries, being particularly severe on ten Doeschate and Jahid, and gradually the pair began to take the fight to Essex. They were still unbeaten at the close (the first time bad light has not intervened early) having so far added 129, Kadeer is on 92 and Taylor 58.
It has to be said that the wicket is a good one for batting and the weather, for once, is ideal. So, in theory Gloucestershire ought to be capable of batting for a good deal of tomorrow, possibly even scoring the 315 needed to avoid an innings defeat. I still feel a draw is unlikely because of our long tail, but maybe tomorrow is a good opportunity for Brown and Snell to come to the party, should either of the current not-outs depart early.
There was a members’ forum held after close of play today, when I imagine Chairman Light would have come under pressure to explain the very poor season. We look forward to some convincing answers!
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