Crowe flies but County up against it

Date: Thursday 07 May 2009

Close of Day Two: Gloucs 361-7 (Gidman 159, Snell 69*, Crowe 3-84) lead Leics 133 (New 54, Ireland 6-31) by 228 runs.

A classy innings from Gloucestershire skipper Alex Gidman turned the Championship game in his side’s favour at Bristol today.

Gidman made 159 before becoming Carl Crowe’s third wicket of the day, which ensured his side closed on 361-7 after being 8-2 when he came to the crease yesterday evening.

It means that Gloucestershire, who trailed County by 58 runs going into the second day, knocked off the deficit and built a substantial lead of 228 by stumps.

The day was frustrating for Leics, who were hoping to build on the bowling progress made last night.

Indeed, after 14 wickets fell on day one, just three fell on the second – all to Crowe (3-84).

The first obstacle of the day was provided by former County bowler Steve Kirby. The night-watchman made an important 27, sharing a more-than-useful stand of 82 with his captain.

That took the hosts’ total past Leics’ first innings score, but Crowe got the team a foothold by taking two wickets in quick succession.

Firstly, he grabbed his first first-class wicket of the season courtesy of a catch at slip by HD Ackerman to end Kirby’s stay.

Then, the off-spinner trapped Rob Woodman lbw for six, with Gloucs only leading by 33 runs at that point.

However, Gidman took the bull by the horns with an outstanding knock and shared another significant partnership with wicket-keeper Steve Snell.

The pair put on 128 for the seventh wicket, and when you consider there have only been two other players to make half-centuries in the game so far and Gidman made three of his own in effect, then it puts into perspective how well the captain played.

He was finally dismissed after an innings spanning more than six hours, as Ackerman caught another at slip off Crowe after the batsman attempted a cut.

His total came from 258 balls with 21 fours and a six. Snell was also in stubborn mood, batting for 165 balls for 69 before bad light halted proceedings for a second time in the day.

The keeper put on another decent unbroken stand of 67 either side of the first stoppage after tea with seamer Tom Stayt (30*), as the duo added two more batting points and took their side towards a fifth and final batting bonus point.

It all leaves County with a massive mountain to climb with two days to go, but they proved they were up for the challenge at Southgate last week and will have to be at their battling best again here.