An excellent century by captain Brett D’Oliveira and late wickets for the bowlers put Worcestershire firmly in control of their County Championship Division Two tussle with Gloucestershire at New Road on Day 3.
Worcestershire went in search of Gloucestershire’s 289, resuming their first innings to score a defiant 388 for a crucial first-innings lead of 99 runs. D’Oliveira secured the season’s century of the day with his calm innings, holding up a very stiff batting order after the home team started when still 250 ahead here. Worcestershire were held back by some disciplined bowling from Gloucestershire but, thanks to his knock as well as useful contributions throughout the middle and lower order, reached a dominant position.
Gloucestershire were earlier dependent upon Miles Hammond’s unbeaten 139 in their first innings but, having bowled the hosts out for just nine runs more than that, they themselves failed to keep Worcestershire at bay as the visitors overtook their total. The determination of the Pears tail was key as they stretched their lead beyond what looked an achievable target and increased the scoreboard pressure on the visitors.
Gloucestershire began their most recent innings, simply chasing the 500-deficit, a little in an also reluctant mood. But as Worcestershire’s seamers showed their unimpeachable discipline, the new-ball attack were blunted only partly by the efforts of openers Cameron Bancroft and Tommy Boorman. Eventually the breakthrough did come as the hosts began to pick off the top order with a barrage of wickets, never allowing Gloucestershire to take complete control of the innings.
Gloucestershire finished the day still trailing, but having closed to within 127 runs and leaving themselves with ample work for the final morning. Now they rely on hammering out a series of solid partnerships from the middle order, where Hammond will be expected to play an increasingly central role alongside seasoned pros like James Bracey and Graeme van Buuren.
Worcestershire, on the other hand, will stride into the final day with confidence. Having already established a sizable advantage on first-innings, the hosts now need just a handful of wickets to blast through Gloucestershire’s lower order and pursue their quest for an important Championship win.
Worcestershire’s match-defining hundred from D’Oliveira and another tight bowling performance keeps this contest alive, but momentum is definitely with the visitors. Sixty runs short at the close, Gloucestershire will have to put on a strong batting display on the final day to ensure the hosts do not take maximum points from what has been an absorbing Division Two contest.
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